Notable Sales: François Xavier Tourte
Known as ‘Le Jeune’ to distinguish him from his elder brother Nicolas Léonard, François Xavier’s contribution to French bowmaking far outstrips that of Nicolas or any other bowmaker. Born in 1748, he trained as a clockmaker, but it is believed that he was working with bows from around 1774, under the influence of Nicolas. His own workshop was established in 1800 in Quai de l’Ecole. Contact with Giovanni Battista Viotti led the brothers to develop the modern incurved bow, and with Rudolph Kreutzer further developed the frog and its mechanisms. François Xavier’s work became the gold standard for subsequent craftsmen and remains the most valuable and desirable for both players and collectors. He seems to have retired in about 1833, where he lived for his last few years until 1835 on rue Dauphine.
(b Paris, 1748; d 1835)
Known as ‘Le Jeune’ to distinguish him from his elder brother Nicolas Léonard, François Xavier’s contribution to French bowmaking far outstrips that of Nicolas or any other bowmaker. Born in 1748, he trained as a clockmaker, but it is believed that he was working with bows from around 1774, under the influence of Nicolas. His own workshop was established in 1800 in Quai de l’Ecole. Contact with Giovanni Battista Viotti led the brothers to develop the modern incurved bow, and with Rudolph Kreutzer further developed the frog and its mechanisms. François Xavier’s work became the gold standard for subsequent craftsmen... Read more
16 October 2019
François Xavier Tourte trained as a watchmaker before becoming the assistant of his bow maker brother Nicolas Léonard. He worked with the celebrated violinists of his day, G.B. Viotti and Rodolphe Kreutzer, to develop what we now know as... Read more
28 October 2015
Francis de Pasquale’s daughter, Linda de Pasquale, reminisces about her father’s musical life. Francis de Pasquale was born in Philadelphia, on December 16, 1920. He became a member of the great Philadelphia Orchestra in 1943 while he was still a... Read more
18 September 2015 - Oxley, Peter
François Xavier Tourte (b. 1748; d. 1835) The name of François Xavier Tourte remains the most celebrated in the entire canon of bowmaking for justifiable reasons: he effectively established the ‘modern bow’ which – except for a few minor adaptations... Read more
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More InformationTim Ingles and Paul Hayday will offer an initial evaluation of the authenticity and value of your instrument or bow to recommend an auction estimate and reserve price for your instrument or bow...
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Tim Ingles and Paul Hayday will offer an initial evaluation of the authenticity and value of your instrument or bow. At this stage, the assessment is free and without obligation. In the first instance, we suggest submitting good-quality images to us, preferably by email to info@ingleshayday.com or by completing the valuation form.
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