Violin Bow by Victor Fétique, c. 1925

Victor Fétique, born in Mirecourt in 1872, was the son of Charles Fétique. He apprenticed under Fournier-Maline, Ausson, and Miguel, and later worked with Bazin, as well as Caressa and Français in Paris from 1901. In 1913, Fétique established his own workshop in Paris, which quickly gained a stellar reputation. His work was recognized with the title of "Greatest archetier in France" at the Paris Exhibition in 1927, and he won medals in Brussels, Barcelona, London, and Livorno.
Fétique was renowned for creating bows that offered maximum resistance and elasticity, each one a complete work of art, stamped "Victor Fétique à Paris." He hired many employees and subcontractors, including A. Thomassin, A. Toussaint, Louis Morizot Père, A. Richaume, Emile Ouchard, and Paul Weidhaas. After his death in 1933, his son Marcel took over the business. Bows signed "Fétique," made by either Victor or his younger brother Jules, contributed significantly to the high reputation of Parisian bowmaking in the first half of the 20th century.

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This bow plays very well and is priced very competitively. It has a sophisticated and refined sound, typical of older French bows from this period. It is also very versatile and players will discover a beautiful range of colours on their instruments. Comparable in quality to many more expensive bows.

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