cello bow
Jean Joseph Martin
built in Paris in ± 1890
A cello bow, attributed to J.J. Martin, Paris, ca. 1890. Signed “F.N. Voirin à Paris.” Round shaft and silver mount. Length 68.9 cm.
History of this instrument
In 2008, the Musical Instrument Fund acquired this Martin cello bow from an estate. The deceased was an amateur cellist from Soest. She was a much sought-after and highly regarded chamber music partner due to her great musicality and her confidence, which provided a solid foundation for all her fellow musicians. One of her musical partners was her own husband, who played the piano. He was the one who called us in 2008 to tell us that his wife had passed away and that she had bequeathed her cello and two bows to the foundation. Samira van de Walle was the first cellist to receive the bow on loan. The current player of this Parisian bow is Florianne Remme.
About the builder Jean Joseph Martin
When Jean Joseph Martin, at the age of 21, walked from the small town of Mirecourt in northeastern France to Paris in ten days, he did not yet know that he would break free from the anonymity in which many bow makers in his hometown...