M. Potvin American Violin, Woonsocket, RI 1921, Labeled, NO 71 Deep Brown Varnish

Stunning American violin by an amazing maker...

Rare and unusual instrument made by a rare and unusual man. Made by Moise Potvin in Woonsocket, RI in 1921. Moise was an artist, a musician, a wood carver, a sign maker, an impresario and a showman. In the autobiographic list of things he endeavored, he omitted large-scale portraiture of the rich and powerful, and extraordinary violin making.

American Violin, M. Potvin, Woonsocket, 1921, labeled, NO 71, M POTVIN, WOONSOCKET RI. USA 1921, the two-piece back of narrow curl, the ribs and scroll similar, the top of fine grain, the varnish of a deep brown color, length of back 13 15/16 in., 354 mm.

Check out the picture of the one that sold at Skinner in 2005... in pieces it sold for almost $1600.00 after buyers premium.

Now about the maker... Moise (pronounced like moist with the t dropped) Potvin was born in 1876 in West Farnham, Quebec, Canada. In 1891 the Potvin family immigrated to West Warwick, RI. Then as now, every Rhode Island city and town was comprised of small villages. All nineteen of the Potvins settled in the village of Arctic. When he was young Moise, the oldest child, went to work as a weaver and loom repairman. According to him, although he earned a wage at these trades for fifteen years, he engaged in many sidelines: drawing, sign painting, carving, acting, etc. He married at age twenty, and prolific as his parents, he fathered twelve children.

Moise is perhaps best know for his dramatic folk art carvings (some have sold at auction for tens of thousands of dollars, privately, probably for more), authentic to the tiniest detail! One his more famous... a six foot by four foot in-the-round tableau carving of each and every member of Roosevelt’s 1934 cabinet, seated in a semi-circular cabinet room compete with NRA eagles, inlaid floors, paneled walls, and FDR presiding. Check out the picture, it is absolutely stunning! He travelled extensively to display his carvings... he carted these massive works to the Atlantic City Boardwalk where he rented a storefront and charged strolling passersby a few cents to enter and be delighted. A visitor to Potvin’s exhibit had this exchange: “I see your [admission] price is twenty cents. Since I only have one eye, can I get in for ten cents?” Potvin’s response was: “I should charge you forty cents, because it will take you twice as long to see the show.”

Moise said of his carving, “I keep the jack knife working to keep the table knives working.” And, remember, there were thirteen table knives working at home.

Check out the screenshot of the article about Moise Potvin in the June 1927 Popular Science Magazine.

This is a very rare example of Potvin's skill as a violin maker. Check out the pictures. Comes in the original case. Shipping quoted is to you in the CONUS.

You will likely not find another.

Due to CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) restrictions, most stringed instruments will only be shipped within the U.S. No exceptions.