The History of the Duiffoprugcar Copies
The origin of the copies of Garspard Duiffopruggar is interesting and begins with a little history of Gaspard Duiffoprugcar (also known by Gaspar or Caspar Tieffenbrucker, Caspard Duyfautbocard, and Dieffopruchar). Gaspard Duiffoprugcar was an instrument maker who was born in 1514 and became well-known for making lutes, viols, and basses.
However, the ornately designed violins labeled "Gaspard Duiffo pruggar" (seen in several different styles and types of ornamentation) were originally created and distributed by J. B. Vuillame.
According to the National Museum of American history, J. B. Vuilliame's interest in copying the great Cremonese masters led to, "a commission for his copying an ornamented viola da gamba attributed to Gaspar Tieffenbrucker. By 1830, Honoré (Jean Joseph) Derazey (1794-1883), also from Mirecourt and working in Paris, joined the Vuillaume workshop and became the maker of many Gaspar da Salo decorated copies, known as the ornamental "Duiffopruggar" violins of J.B. Vuillaume."
After working in the Vuillame firm, H. Derazey opened his own workshop in Mirecourt where he was eventually joined by his son, Justin Derazey. There they continued to make the highly-ornamented "Duiffo Pruggar" instruments.
Likely inspired by the popularity of the Duiffopruggar instruments, the largest of the great Mirecourt instrument-making firms, the Jérôme Thibouville Firm, began making and distributing their own line of "Duiffo Pruggar" violins.
A significant clue that these instruments were not made by Duiffoprugcar himself are the dates listed on the labels. The dates range from as early as 1510 (as seen on this instrument). Although a well-known and respected luthier, it seems unlikely that Gaspard began his work as early as 4 years before his birth.
