Paul Blanchard violin, Lyon Fr 1901 No. 563, 2 piece top of quartered spruce with irregular medium to fine grain, 2 piece back of highly flamed maple with a medium fine flame descending from center joint, ribs, neck and scroll of the same wood. Varnish of a medium red brown over a golden tan ground,  in good to very good condition showing only typical wear and minor dings for its age.   Wittner FT pegs, harp cordial with Kevlar cord, Wittner chin rest. Wonderfully resonant tone and projection suitable for an advanced professional..
One of the most prolific French makers of the 19th century, Paul Blanchard made roughly 1200 instruments in his lifetime, including violins, violas, and cellos. Born in Mirecourt, he apprenticed under Auguste Darte beginning in 1865. He then worked for Vuillaume before settling in Lyon around 1875, where he became official luthier to the Lyon Conservatoire. Until about 1885 his instruments owed much stylistically to those of Silvestre, with thin purfling, while later the purfling becomes wider, the top and back less hollowed at the edges.