Paris School
Pierre Simon
Paris, 1808–1881
Pierre SIMON (1808-1881/1882) was a distinguished French bow maker born in Mirecourt. After an apprenticeship in his hometown, he worked for D. Peccatte and J.-B. Vuillaume in Paris, notably crafting 'self-rehairing' bows for the latter. He established his own business in 1845 and succeeded D. Peccatte's Parisian enterprise in 1847. He partnered with J. Henry from 1848 to 1851, branding their work 'SIMON, PARIS.' Known for his elegant and versatile craftsmanship, his bows typically featured round sticks and a brown to dark red-brown color. He operated from various addresses in Paris, including 13 rue Croix des Petits Champs, 39 rue Coquillière, 179 rue Saint Honoré, and 232 rue Saint-Denis, before his death in Neuilly-sur-Marne.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
90 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin Bow | Silver mounted, unlapping, handle and mortice blemishes, minor frog crack, minor handle wear Lot 290 | Laurent | June 2024 | £21,273est. € 12.000-15.000 |
| Cello Bow | Silver mounted, signed Gand Frères, unhaired, thin lapping, good condition Lot 291 | Laurent | June 2024 | £45,736est. € 45.000-50.000 |
| Violin Bow | Silver mounted, round stick faintly stamped, original frog and button made by an associated maker Lot 92 | Tarisio | May 2024 | £14,135est. $ 15,000-22,000 |
| Violin Bow | Silver mounted, round stick stamped Lupot, button not original Lot 43 | Tarisio | March 2024 | £33,000est. £ 15,000-22,000 |
| Violin Bow | Silver mounted, octagonal stick unstamped, frog and button not original Lot 74 | Tarisio | March 2024 | £15,005est. $ 12,000-18,000 |
| Violin Bow | Lot 41 | Brompton's | June 2018 | £42,000 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 82.5 g. "Gand & Bernardel" Attributed to | — | December 2011 | £2,707 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. (frog & button not original) | — | December 2011 | £16,909 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. branded "Gand et Bernardel Frères" | — | December 2011 | £19,022 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 51.3 g. without winding | — | December 2011 | £6,341 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 79.5 g. | — | December 2011 | £26,420 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61.5 g. | — | November 2011 | £26,314 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 54.5 g. without hair Probably by | — | July 2011 | £4,407 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 52 g. without hair, with silk winding, branded "Vuillaume (Sébastien)" | — | June 2011 | £30,860 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 63.5 g. | — | May 2011 | £16,024 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. Probably by | — | December 2010 | £4,800 |
| Violin Bow | N/E 60.5 g. Amourette stick Workshop of | — | December 2010 | £2,660 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 55 g. 1850 c. without hair, branded "Chanot" Attributed to | — | October 2010 | £4,800 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 61 g. Paris, 1850 c. | — | October 2010 | £22,800 |
| Cello Bow | G/E 72 g. without winding and with fine hair (frog later) | — | June 2010 | £25,890 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 52.5 g. without hair or winding | — | December 2009 | £34,818 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 63.0 g. | — | October 2009 | £8,400 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. Attributed to | — | October 2009 | £2,125 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 75.5 g. | — | May 2009 | £12,423 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58.5 g. Paris, 1850 c. | — | March 2009 | £12,500 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. Paris, 1850 c. | — | March 2009 | £21,250 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 77.0 g. Stamped "Gand & Bernardel Fres" with no hair | — | October 2008 | £3,073 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60.0 g. Probably by | — | October 2008 | £3,803 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61.5 g. France, mid-19th C. Possibly by | — | October 2008 | £9,375 |
| Cello Bow | 78 g. 1870 c. | — | June 2008 | £4,800 |
| Violin Bow | 36 g. Stick only | — | June 2008 | £11,141 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 49 g. no hair or winding (frog and button of the period, handle wear) | — | December 2007 | £13,189 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 52 g. 3/4 Size | — | December 2007 | £1,957 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. (frog & button not original) | — | October 2007 | £11,423 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. Paris, 1850 c. | — | October 2007 | £26,900 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 56.0 g. (button not original) | — | May 2007 | £7,489 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61.5 g. (frog & button not original) | — | May 2007 | £6,934 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 80.5 g. Originally self-rehairing (frog & button "Peccatte school " but not original) | — | March 2007 | £11,500 |
| Violin Bow | G/T 57 g. Paris, 1860 c. Picture bow made for "J.B. Vuillaume" | — | November 2006 | £15,600 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57 g. branded "Gand à Paris" | — | June 2006 | £10,522 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61.0 g. Picture bow (Button later) | — | November 2005 | £4,597 |
| Violin Bow | Open trench frog, 46.5 g. 1/2 Size | — | November 2005 | £1,970 |
| Cello Bow | I/G 76.1 g. (frog & button not original) Probably by | — | November 2005 | £10,200 |
| Violin Bow | N/E 60.5 g. Brazilwood | — | July 2005 | £525 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 70 g. tinsel lapping, branded "Vuillaume" | — | June 2005 | £3,461 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | May 2005 | £7,200 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. Attributed to | — | May 2005 | £960 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 77.5 g. | — | May 2005 | £8,242 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58.5 g. | — | May 2005 | £9,158 |
| Violin Bow | G/T 65.5 g. Possibly by | — | February 2005 | £4,800 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57 g. | — | May 2004 | £5,968 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 79.0 g. | — | May 2004 | £10,294 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 58.5 g. (frog and button not original) | — | May 2004 | £5,147 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62.5 g. stamped "Vuillaume a Paris" | — | March 2004 | £10,200 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57 g. | — | July 2003 | £6,600 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 57 g. | — | November 2002 | £8,625 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 76 g. For "Vuillaume" | — | October 2002 | £6,531 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | June 2002 | £3,346 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 68 g. For "Vuillaume" | — | June 2002 | £9,028 |
| Violin Bow | S/E Gand F. | — | December 2001 | £14,184 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. Gand F. | — | November 2001 | £6,117 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | June 2001 | £7,800 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 81 g. | — | November 2000 | £4,200 |
| Violin Bow | G/T 60 g. | — | October 2000 | £8,859 |
| Violin Bow | G/T 63 g. | — | October 2000 | £25,587 |
| Violin Bow | S/T 65 g. | — | October 2000 | £10,470 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 79 g. | — | July 2000 | £4,200 |
| Violin Bow | G/T 59 g. | — | July 2000 | £15,480 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | November 1999 | £5,290 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 77 g. | — | April 1999 | £2,683 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 76 g. | — | March 1999 | £4,600 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 78 g. | — | December 1998 | £5,185 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 66 g. | — | June 1998 | £2,300 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57 g. | — | May 1998 | £3,880 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 78 g. | — | June 1996 | £5,175 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 56 g. | — | June 1996 | £1,380 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. | — | November 1994 | £1,955 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 71 g. | — | November 1992 | £3,630 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | July 1992 | £2,860 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 56 g. | — | November 1991 | £3,520 |
| Cello Bow | G/T 70 g. | — | June 1989 | £17,600 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 64 g. | — | March 1989 | £2,970 |
| Violin Bow | G/T 62 g. | — | June 1987 | £4,400 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57 g. | — | June 1987 | £660 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | March 1986 | £1,517 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | January 1984 | £1,956 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. | — | March 1982 | £1,589 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 76 g. | — | November 1981 | £2,420 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | January 1981 | £2,200 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 50 g. | — | November 1980 | £715 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Pierre SIMON (1808-1881) was born in 1808 in Mirecourt, France. Sources contain conflicting information regarding his death year, with John Dilworth stating 1881 and Henri Poidras and Cecie Stainer indicating 1882. He was a bow maker who began his apprenticeship in Mirecourt., he worked for D. Peccatte in Paris around 1838-1840. Subsequently, he worked for J.-B. Vuillaume, where he made some of the 'self-rehairing' bows. Cecie Stainer specifies that he remained with Vuillaume until 1845, when he established his own business. In 1846, he moved his independent establishment to 39 rue Coquillière, having previously been at 13 rue Croix des Petits Champs. Upon D. Peccatte's return to Mirecourt in 1847, Pierre SIMON succeeded to his Paris business, which Cecie Stainer places on the rue d'Angivilliers. From 1848 to 1851, he entered into a partnership with J. Henry, during which their individual work was invariably branded SIMON. After this partnership, he worked alone from 1851 at 179 rue Saint Honoré. John Dilworth notes that Millant suggests Pierre SIMON was living in Mirecourt between 1852 and 1878, though he was certainly working in Paris in the rue St-Denis at the end of his life, specifically around 1878 at 232 rue Saint-Denis. Cecie Stainer also mentions a later move to rue Saint-Denis, passage Lemoine. He died in the Paris suburb of Neuilly-sur-Marne.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- Pierre SIMON was regarded as a very fine, elegant, and versatile craftsman, producing most excellent bows.
- Characteristics
- His bows generally featured round sticks, ranging in color from brown to dark red-brown.
- Specialization
- While working for J.-B. Vuillaume, he made some of the 'self-rehairing' bows.
Influence and legacy
- Apprenticeship: He received his initial training through an apprenticeship in Mirecourt.
- Mentorship: He worked for D. Peccatte in Paris around 1838-1840 and later for J.-B. Vuillaume.
- Succession: In 1847, he succeeded D. Peccatte's business in Paris.
- Reputation: His bows are highly regarded and 'very much liked,'.
- Partnership: He formed a notable partnership with J. Henry from 1848 to 1851.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
SIMON, Pierre Born 1808 Mirecourt, died 1881 Paris France. Bow maker. Elder brother of Barthélémy Simon, above, and brother-in-law of M. Génin. Apprenticed in Mirecourt. Worked for D. Peccatte in Paris c.1838-1840. Subsequently worked for Vuillaume, making some of the ‘self-rehairing’ bows. Established independently at 13 rue Croix des Petits Champs, moving to 39 rue Coquillière in 1846. Succeeded to D. Peccatte’s Paris business on his return to Mirecourt 1847. Entered into partnership with J. Henry 1848-1851, their individual work invariably branded SIMON. Worked alone at 179 rue Saint Honoré from 1851, and c.1878 at 232 rue Saint-Denis. Millant suggests that in this period, 1852-1878, he was living in Mirecourt. He was certainly working in Paris in the rue St-Denis at the end of his life, but died in the Paris suburb of Neuilly-sur-Marne. Very fine elegant and versatile craftsman. Generally round sticks, brown to dark red brown colour, branded: SIMON, PARIS [Millant/Raffin]
Cecie Stainer+
b. 1808, at Mirecourt. Went to Paris in 1838, where he worked for some months under D. Peccate ; then went to the workshop of J. B. Vuillaume and remained there till, in 1845, he started his own business. On Peccate’s retirement, in 1847, Simon succeeded to his business in the rue d’Angivilliers. He was in partnership with Henry, 1848-51, and afterwards continued his work alone, moving later to rue Saint-Denis, passage Lemoine. He made most excellent bows, and generally marked them with “Simon, Paris,” near the nut. He died 1882.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Sehr guter Bogenmacher, der 1838 nach Paris kam und hier ein Schüler von D. Peccatte wurde, dessen Geschäft er 1847 kaufte, nachdem er vorher Jahre lang bei Vuillaume gearbeitet hatte. Von 1848—1851 arbeitete er mit Henry zusammen, seitdem aber immer allein. — Marke:
Henri Poidras+
Paris 1808-1882. Born at Mirecourt. Bow maker of note who worked for a few years with J.-B. Vuillaume and in 1847 became the successor of D. Peccatte. Was in partnership with Henry for a short time. His bows are very much liked. Mark : SIMON, Paris.
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