Mahillon Charles, *4 November 1813 Brussels, †4 September 1887 Molenbeek-St-Jean, Belgian builder of instruments. After his apprenticeship, together with his brother-in-law, they founded a wind instruments manufacturer Bachmann & Mahillon in 1836 in Brussels. The factory quickly gained recognition and in 1856 became the most important Belgian company in this industry, supplying instruments to the army. It also produced percussion instruments. In 1844, Charles Mahillon opened a branch in London, which operated until 1922. The company’s traditions were continued by his sons.
Literature: E. v. Hornbostel, C. Sachs Systematik der Musikinstrumente. Ein Versuch, “Zeitschrift für Ethnologie” XLIII, 1914; E. Closson Victor Mahillon, “Bulletin de la Société Union Musicologique” IV, 1924; F.A. Drechsel Kompendium zur Akustik der Blasinstrumente nach Victor-Charles Mahillon, Leipzig 1927, reprint Celle 1979; E. Closson La facture des instruments de musique en Belgique, Brussels 1935; M.J. Kartomi On Concepts and Classifications of Musical Instruments, Chicago 1990; M. Haine N. Meeùs Dictionnaire des facteurs d’instruments de musique en Wallonie et à Bruxelles, Liège, 1986; H. Vereecke, S. Carter Mouthpieces for Brasswinds in the Writings of Victor–Charles Mahillon: A Historical and Analytical Review, “Historic Brass Society Journal” 26 (2014).
