10/15/2026
Announcing another bow presentation at our upcoming VSA Convention in Cleveland, Nov 15-20 — this one by Pierre Guillaume!
“An Historical and Technical Review of Bows Branded by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume”
“This lecture traces 50 years of the industrial and artistic history of French bow-making, and more specifically that of Paris (1825–1875), under the leadership of Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, by analysing more than twenty exceptional bows and some fifteen period documents. It highlights the paradox of this visionary instrument maker who, whilst not making bows himself, drove technical innovation through collaborations with great master bowmakers such as Persoit, Peccatte, Simon, Maline, Voirin….. The analysis identifies four key periods of production and highlights the workshop’s spirit of inventiveness, both through the examination of different styles and the presentation of the self rehairing bow with,the micro-photo bow and the metal bow praised by Paganini.”
—
Born in 1963, Pierre Guillaume is one of the leading figures in contemporary bow making. Trained in France, he studied under Gilles Duhaut and worked alongside some of the last great representatives of the Mirecourt bow-making tradition.
Since 1986, he has co-directed Brussels’ historic Maison Bernard with luthier Jan Strick, combining exceptional craftsmanship with a deep commitment to the European violin-making tradition. An internationally respected bow maker and expert, Guillaume’s certificates of authenticity are recognized as a leading standard in the global bow market.
Throughout his career, he has trained numerous apprentices, including award-winning makers, helping preserve and advance the art of bow making. He is currently completing L’Archet Français, a major publication scheduled for release in early 2027.
Register for the 2026 Convention today at vsaweb.org! And don’t forget to book your room in the VSA room block!
