Violin bow by Pierre Simon, Paris, circa 1860

About Pierre Simon

Born in Mirecourt in 1808, Simon served his apprenticeship in his home town. He remained there until 1838, at which time he joined the Paris workshop of Dominique Peccatte. He then moved to the Vuillaume workshop in 1840, producing many fine bows for the firm over a four year period. In 1848, Simon took over Peccatte's Paris workshop when his former employer moved home to Mirecourt. Simon continued to produce bows for Vuillaume from his own workshop, as well as producing for Gand frères and Georges Chanot.

Widely regarded as one of the best bowmakers of the nineteenth century, Simon's work is admired for its consistency and for its charming development of the Peccatte model.

About the violin bow

This bow was made in Paris circa 1860. The certificate notes that it was likely made to order for the great J.B. Vuillaume.

The round stick is of chestnut-brown coloured pernambuco and measures 730 mm in length. The mounts are silver and ebony, and the bow has a Vuillaume-style frog.

The bow weighs 58.5 grams.

How does it play?

This is a real chameleon of a bow! It is quite hard to pin down: the stick feels incredibly strong on demand, but is also capable of the kind of flexibility associated with a more delicate bow. Paired with a good instrument, this bow feels capable of producing any sort of sound you could possibly wish. It's unfamiliar and delightfully characterful - perhaps best tried!

Condition

The bow is in a very good state of preservation.

Certification

The bow comes with the 2025 certificate of Pierre Guillaume.

More information

For more options, please view other violin bows in this price range.