Items Similar to Rare c. 1900 French Cigar-Box Violin – Authentic Trench-Art Folk Instrument
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 13
Rare c. 1900 French Cigar-Box Violin – Authentic Trench-Art Folk Instrument
$17,566.07
£12,949.50
€14,680
CA$24,304.49
A$26,371.59
CHF 13,989.64
MX$323,841.06
NOK 173,006.37
SEK 163,836.83
DKK 111,771.70
About the Item
Discover a truly evocative piece of musical folk art: an original three-string violin hand-crafted around 1890-1920 from an official French “Manufacture des Tabacs / République Française” cigar box. Its rectangular body still bears the oval tax stamp and hand-cut f-holes, while the slim neck and friction pegs recall the pocket fiddles carried by itinerant musicians and soldiers during the Great War.
• Provenance & Period – The tax seal used only between 1872 and 1926 places the box—and likely the instrument—squarely in the Belle Époque / WWI era.
• Unique Construction – Entirely hand-made using salvaged hardwood, with a sympathetic tailpiece drilled for three gut or wire strings (common in rustic French fiddles).
• Trench-Art Appeal – Instruments like this were fashioned in the trenches and billets as morale boosters; few survive with their original patina intact.
• Display & Study Value – Ideal centrepiece for museums, folk-music collections, or décor highlighting early 20th-century ingenuity. Dimensions and high-resolution photos available on request.
• Condition – Structurally sound with untouched varnish and legible stamps; deliberately left unrestored to preserve historical integrity.
This cigar-box violin captures the resourcefulness of a bygone generation—an authentic conversation starter and museum-worthy artefact ready for the next custodian of its story.
- Dimensions:Height: 20.08 in (51 cm)Width: 4.73 in (12 cm)Depth: 2.76 in (7 cm)
- Style:Folk Art (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1900-1909
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1900
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
- Seller Location:Barcelona, ES
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1427243231692
About the Seller
4.9
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2015
1stDibs seller since 2015
1,894 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 12 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Barcelona, Spain
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllSandro's Inri: a Contemporary Minimalist Sculpture and Objét Trouvé, 2017
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Sandro's INRI is a stunning contemporary minimalist sculpture that's sure to impress and inspire. Created by the talented artist Sandro in 2017, this sculpture is an objet trouvé that has been masterfully intervened to give it new meaning and purpose.
This incredible objet trouvé is a masterpiece of visual poetry, taking a vintage double bass case...
Category
2010s German Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
$5,266 Sale Price
44% Off
Spanish Antique Traditional Rustic Wood Hanger, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antique traditional rustic wood hanger.
By unknown artisan from Spain, circa 1960.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, ...
Category
Vintage 1960s Spanish Rustic Coat Racks and Stands
Materials
Wood
$1,675 Sale Price
20% Off
Richters German Anchor Stone Blocks Building Toy
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Richters German anchor blocks building toys / Der Geschickte Baumeister
Made in Rudolstadt, Germany, circa 1900.
Wooden box with printed paper labe...
Category
Antique Early 1900s German Baroque Toys
Materials
Quartz
$1,914 Sale Price
20% Off
Richters German Anchor Stone Blocks Building Toy
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Richters German Anchor blocks building toys / Der Geschickte Baumeister
Made in Rudolstadt, Germany, circa 1900.
Wooden box with printed paper labe...
Category
Antique Early 1900s German Baroque Toys
Materials
Quartz
$1,914 Sale Price
20% Off
Ko Verzuu ADO Toys Houthandel Truck, circa 1940
By Ko Verzuu, ADO
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Toy designed by Ko Verzuu, circa 1940.
Manufactured by ADO in Netherlands.
Truck & trailer of wood "Houthandel".
In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with ag...
Category
Vintage 1940s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Toys
Materials
Wood
$1,435 Sale Price
20% Off
Spanish 'Hachero' Traditional Natural Oak Wood Candleholder, circa 1890
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Spanish 'Hachero' traditional natural oakwood candleholder.
By unknown manufacturer from Spain, circa 1890.
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, pres...
Category
Antique 1890s Spanish Rustic More Candle Holders
Materials
Wood, Oak
$1,407 Sale Price
38% Off
You May Also Like
Primitive Early 20th Century Fiddle and Bow
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Unusual home made primitive violin. good burnished patination. excellent attention to detail, Original Bow, with horsehair.. France, Circa 1900
Category
Early 20th Century French Outsider and Self Taught Art
Materials
Wood
Antique 20th Century Victorian Practice Skeleton Violin c.1900
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A wonderful early 20th Century Victorian violin, made from solid dark mahogany wood. This skeleton violin enabled hours of practice due to the light weight of the instrument. A wonde...
Category
Antique Early 1900s British Other Musical Instruments
Materials
Wood
20th Century European Wooden Instrument Case
Located in High Point, NC
Made in Europe in the 20th Century, this vintage wooden case would have originally been used to hold a musical instrument—the distinctive shape sug...
Category
20th Century European Musical Instruments
Materials
Wood
Stradivarius Violin copy
Located in Pueblo, CO
Very fine playing condition Stradivarius copy made of flame maple body and spruce neck. includes bow, labels read as follows;
E. R. PFRETZSCHNER Mittenwald OBB 1987 hand made cop...
Category
Late 20th Century German Neoclassical Musical Instruments
Materials
Maple, Spruce
1850-1950 Folk Art Rustic Wood Guitar Harp Decorative Wall Hanging or Sculpture
Located in Topeka, KS
Fantastic 20th Century Folk Art Rustic wood Guitar Harp or Harp Guitar decorative wall hanging or sculpture. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Folk Art Musical Instruments
Materials
Wire
Ethnic Musical Instrument, Mid-20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Ethnic musical instrument is a unique object realized in the half of the 20th century.
Ethnic musical instrument made by craftsmanship with wood and recycled materials.
Mint c...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Musical Instruments
Materials
Wood
$201 Sale Price
40% Off