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Violin bow by Jean-Joseph Martin, Mirecourt, circa 1880
About Jean-Joseph Martin
Jean-Joseph Martin was born in Mirecourt in 1837. His father died when he was still very young and he began his apprenticeship early in order to support his family. Sadly, poverty was to continue to play a large part throughout his life. At 21 Martin moved to Paris to work for the great J.B. Vuillaume: he walked the 230 miles as he was unable to afford a coach.
The time spent in Paris was successful: Martin´s great skill and commitment made him a star in the busy workshop. He returned to Mirecourt to open his own workshop in 1863. The workshop grew well, taking on assistants including Joseph Arthur Vigneron and producing bows for the Mennesson and Thibouville-Lamy companies.
Despite his great skill as a maker, Martin´s precarious financial situation and competition from the larger Mirecourt workshops led to the business collapsing in 1880. Martin lost both his shop and his home but continued to make extremely high-quality bows until his death in 1910.
About this violin bow
This violin bow was made in Mirecourt around 1880. The round stick is of high-quality pernambuco of reddish-brown colour. The mounts are of silver and ebony.
The stick measures 730 mm in length and the bow weighs 55 and a half grams.
How does it sound?
This bow has a relatively soft stick which sits on the string and pulls out an enormous sound. It's a very interesting combination of flexibility and strength, a bow which gives lots of expressive potential whilst never bottoming out.
Condition
The bow is in very good condition. There is a repaired split to the silver band of the adjuster.
Certification
The bow comes with the 2024 certificate of Pierre Guillaume. The Ivory Act reference is TDBABC5E.
Further information
Please get in touch for more details about this fine French violin bow by Jean-Joseph Martin for sale and a member of our team will get back to you.