The cousin of archetier Arthur Vigneron, Mirecourt-born Charles Enel (1880-1954) learned the art of violin-making under Grillon and Gustave Bazin before taking a position in Léon Mougenot’s workshop. He quickly distinguished himself as an extremely skilled luthier, and he moved to Paris to work for Auguste Deroux. Enel spent the bulk of his twenties traveling and learning from violin-makers in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. He returned to France to open his Parisian atelier in 1909.

Enel’s workshop soon proved successful. In 1911, he moved to the Rue de Rome and started a lucrative collaboration with businessman Félix Bollecker. From this point forward, he labeled his instruments, “Charles Enel and Co.” World War I paused their enterprise, as both Enel and Bollecker completed military service, but when they returned, Enel began modeling his instruments after the Cremonese masters.

Enel’s craftsmanship won the respect of his peers. He was elected Vice President of the Groupement des Luthiers et Archetiers d’Art de France in 1947, and one year later, he was named an Expert of the Commercial Court of the Seine. Towards the end of his career, Enel began collaborating more and more with luthier Frédéric Boyer, and Boyer took over the atelier after Enel’s death in 1954.

• Year Made – 1925 Paris
• Labeled – CH. Enel
• Length of Back – 358mm 
• Condition – Excellent