Orléans was an important river trade port, it was the headquarters of the community of merchants frequenting the Loire.
François Lupot II was born in the city of Orléans, and he was the younger brother of the renowned violin maker Nicolas Lupot. Their father was the violin maker François Lupot I. The river trade gave François access to the very best Pernambuco wood available, it is very likely this wood he took to Paris to sell to the Tourte brothers Jacques Lafleur and Persoit. So it can be seen that Lupot had an influential and lucrative business here as he increasingly journeyed from his home address of Rue Saint Catherine, Orleans and Paris. In 1815 Lupot set up shop at 18 Rue d’Angivilliers, Paris. He had been assisting Tourte L’ Aine having previously become on good terms with the greatest makers of the day.
As can be seen from the photo below this is a very easy bow to date as Lupot began stamping his bows under the lapping with this large stamp in 1820 only to change to a smaller stamp in 1825, so this bow was made between these dates. As you would imagine, it has the most fabulous pernambuco with a delightful gentle occasional figure. Just the same wood the Tourte brothers used, Lupot provided them with wood as we know, but naturally kept some of the very best for his own bows.
Condition
As can be seen from the photo below the audience side of the head has suffered significant damage, careful examination of this suggests that the damage occurred during the making of the bow, not by some later poor rehair. Michael Taylor, the restorer of this bow shall present a document reasoning why this is the case. It has also been necessary to add a small amount (2mms.) to the bottom of the head under the ivory face as there was wear and damage in this area. Otherwise the stick is in beautiful condition, made from some of the best pernambuco ever to grace a violin bow from the golden period of making by one of the top ten makers of all time.
Playing credentials
Whilst it is true to say players not used to earlier bows could find this bow a little temperamental it is a stunning bow in use. A bold stick it has the most fantastic warm rich sound and in the hand just feels like the most natural extension to your arm. Those used to playing on either F X Tourte or Tourte L’Aine will immediately recognise the feeling when playing. A truly sensational bow from both an aesthetic and acoustic standpoint it would be hard to beat, a joy to behold and use.
Certificate
This bow has a certificate from Jean-Francois Raffin of Paris, France stating the stick is by Francois Lupot circa 1820.
As you can see we have fitted exact replica fittings to this stick, in the 1820’s Lupot was still considering his model and so you see we have put in Pearl eyes, a few years later he predominantly made frogs without. It is always a delight restoring a bow from this era, they play so magnificently, a real joy to use.
