In the time of Stradivarius (1644-1737), there were instruments adorned with sculptures, marquetry, ivory purflings or mother of pearl.
One hundred years later, Vuillaume lives in a totally different cultural environment: the beginning of the industrial era. Virtuosos challenges of Paganini, Victorian severity swept away ornaments and frills and flounces of the Baroque world.
This great French luthier, genius copyist, inventor, industrial precursor, has seen in his studio many Stradivarius instruments. So he sacrifices to the memory of his master the decoration of carved pegs and tailpieces, which are found today on the finest violinists of the XVIII century, Amati, Stradivari, Guarneri ...
For this reason he uses patterns to the  taste of his time: rosebud, Fleur-de-lis, acanthus leaves and shell!

A tuxedo for Stradivarius: the carved pieces ... 

Bois d'Harmonie carved fittings

Bois d'Harmonie carved pegs

What could be more ordinary than a peg? This system is as simple as it's brilliant... An auto-locking shank, a plate to adjust the tension between the thumb and forefinger. The origin of pegs is simple ... Reaching the rightest tune has been his only contribution to the singing of the violin for 400 years. When the popular instrument started to reach highest levels, he finally reigned on classical music. It then got adorned with the insignia of his class.

Fleur-de-lis peg

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Maiden peg

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Vuillaume peg

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Acanthus peg

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Shell peg

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Bois d'Harmonie carved tailpieces

To comply with the violin and acoustic capabilities of the violin, the tailpiece is the only location  where the player can leave his mark, including his initials or symbol.

Messiah Tailpiece

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Acanthus Border Hill style (Flamed)

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Floral border tailpiece with Fleur-de-lis

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« Flute player » tailpiece

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« St Cecile » tailpiece carved on ivory

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« St Cecile » tailpiece

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« St Marc » tailpiece

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«Full Acanthus» tailpiece

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Bois d'Harmonie carved chinrests

Fleur-de-lis chinrest

Flower pattern chinrest

Buttons carved Bois d'Harmonie

Fleur-de-lis endbutton

Acanthus endbutton

Shell endbutton

Technical Notes

These parts are mostly made of boxwood, but can also be done in Ebony. A judicious choice will be dictated by the style of the instrument itself, as well as the color of the varnish.