A French Violin Bow from Marc Laberte

Marc André Joseph Laberte (1880 - 1963) inherited the family workshop founded by his father, Pierre Alexis Laberte and Maurice-Emile Laberte in 1876. Although records indicate that he was actively involved as both a luthier and bow maker as early as 1911, he would inherit the leadership role at the firm only a few years later in 1915. Under his leadership the firm flourished and grew, collecting and producing both master instruments and renowned craftsman such as Gerorge Apparut, Charles Brugère, and Camille Poirson, to name a few. In 1919, he had successfully managed a merger with Fourier Magnié to establish Laberte-Humbert Frères, Fourier Magnié Réunis, which employed over 300 tradesman by the following year. André Emile Philippe Laberte would pick up his fathers mantle as the fifth generation luthier to manage the company but struggled to maintain production, distribution, and further diversification through the turmoil of WWII.

This mid century pernambuco violin bow from the Laberte family workshop well represents the meticulous craftsmanship for which the firms’ more famous craftsman are so highly esteemed. This clean example features a two toned silk on silk lapping with black lizard leather thumb grip; the frog, nickel mounted, with a Parisian eye, and matching three piece button. Original in all its parts and in a fantastic state of preservation. Balanced at 65.5 grams and demonstrating a voice that is large, open, with clear overtones and the characteristic silkiness after which French bows are so often sought; altogether, belying it’s light weight.