This exceptional bow was made for Caressa & Français in Paris. The stick is the work of Claude Thomassin and the frog and button is by Jules Fetique. It is fully certified by Raffin.
Nicolas Maline was one of the truly great French bow makers of the 19th century. He was the son and pupil of Guillaume. He then worked for Pajeot alongside Nicolas Maire before opening his own workshop. He supplied bows to J.B. Vuillaume starting in 1840 although he never worked in Paris, and he was actually the first to make bows with the Vuillaume style frog. Vuillaume greatly appreciated his work and many of the bows stamped Vuillaume Paris were actually made by Maline in Mirecourt. The stick of this viola bow is of snakewood.
Charles Bazin was the last member of the great Bazin bow making dynasty. Unlike the previous generation he worked primarily by himself preferring to work with individual clients rather than wholesalers and dealers. This unusually fine gold mounted viola bow is a classic example of his fine work and is facile, strong with a quick response.
After serving his apprenticeship with Cuniot-Hury, François worked in Geneva with Vidoudez before joining Emile F. Ouchard’s workshop. He set up on his own in 1926, retiring in 1960. This bow is accompanied by a Le Canu certificate.
The Morizot workshop was founded by Louis Morizot (père) in 1926 and continued on by his six sons. This Morizot viola bow has a strong lively stick producing a great sound.
Generally considered the finest bow maker of the first half of the twentieth century, the works of Eugene Sartory are always in great demand. We are happy to offer this excellent Sartory viola bow which has superb playing qualities.
Bernard studied with his father, the great E.A.Ouchard and in 1949 went to Geneva, working for the next 21 years with Vidoudez. These bows are stamped VIDOUDEZ Geneva but are Ouchard’s exceptional work. In 1971 he returned to Mirecourt and taught bow making at the violin making school.