A Rare Viola Bow by J. J. Martin, France.

A rare 19th century French viola bow by the illustrious Mirecourt master, Jean Joseph Martin (1837-1910). Eager to provide financial assistance for his family after his father’s unexpected passing, J. J. Martin began his apprenticeship with Nicolas Remy Maire quite young, after which he found employment in the workshop of Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume in Paris at just 21 years of age. Purportedly, the young achetier was so destitute that he traversed the distance of some 230 miles on foot over a ten day period. Learning quickly and elevating his craft, Martin spent five years, approximately 1858-1863 with Vuillaume, from whom the bows of this period are considered some of the best ever produced by the firm; after which, he returned to Mirecourt, established his own workshop, and began a series of collaborations for which he could be dedicated chapters in the history of Mirecourt making. He is credited with having Joseph Arthur Vigneron as an assistant and sold bows to Emile Mennesson and the Jerome Thibouville Lamy firm, where he would become the first foreman for their achetier deparment. 

This nickel mounted viola bow featuring a balanced weight of 70.3 grams remains in a good state of preservation, original in all its parts, and is offered with its corresponding certificate from …