Charles François Gand

Charles François Gand was born in Versailles in 1787 to violin maker Charles Michel Gand. He moved to Paris in 1902 to apprentice with Nicolas Lupot. After his apprenticeship he returned to Versailles to work in his family’s shop until his father’s death in 1920, when he returned to Paris and was employed by Lupot. Gand established his own workshop in 1919, and then inherited Lupot’s workshop when he died in 1824.

Gand was well known for his abilities as a luthier and a businessman. His instruments adhere to french luthier traditions from the early 20th century. In Paris, he was appointed luthier of the Royal Court of France where he made instruments for the Paris Conservatory. Some of his collaborators include George Chanot and Pierre Silvestre.