Derazey, (Jean Joseph) Honoré

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(b Darney, France, Jan 17, 1794; d Mirecourt, France, April 23, 1883). French violin maker. He was employed in a series of workshops in Mirecourt and Paris. About 1830 he joined the Vuillaume workshop in Paris, staying until 1839 when he returned to Mirecourt to establish his own business. Derazey is credited with having made many of the so-called ‘Duiffoprugcar’ violins for J.-B. Vuillaume. These are generally large, with the backs measuring about 370 mm; their superior craftsmanship distinguishes them from the many mass-produced violins built along similar principles. His best work is mostly based on the Stradivari model, although rare copies of Amati and Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ can occasionally be seen. He is regarded as one of the finest craftsmen of his period, making instruments on which the varnishes simulated wear in the manner of Vuillaume. His successful workshop also produced a substantial number of trade-quality instruments. Although these rank with the very best of commercial work emanating from Mirecourt, they cannot be compared to Derazey’s own work. Apart from his early instruments, which seldom carry labels, Derazey’s instruments are either labelled or branded inside the back....