Pierre Simon, Date of Birth, Date of Death
TweetPierre Simon
French bowmaker
Date of Birth: 01-Dec-1808
Date of Death: 12-Dec-1881
Profession: musical instrument maker
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius 
About Pierre Simon
- Pierre Simon (1 December 1808 – 12 December 1881), later known as Paul Simon, was a French archetier or bowmaker. Simon became one of the most important bowmakers of his time.
- He worked in Paris for Peccatte, Vuillaume and Gand Frères.
- In 1847 he purchased Dominique Peccatte's business partnering with Joseph Henry until 1851.
- His bows have two distinct head models, one of his own and the other based on a Peccatte model.
- Not much is known about his early work.
- He probably apprenticed from the age of twelve in Mirecourt, working for someone like Pajeot (speculation based on the elegance of his work by P.
- Child).He arrived in Paris in 1838.
- According to experts, Simon started making bows at least as early as 1827.
- The earliest bow attributed to him, however, according to Raffin & Millant, was made for Jean Baptiste Vuillaume, and dates only to 1845 when he was thirty-seven years old.
- Simon entered partnership with Joseph Henry from 1848-1851.
- Simon was one of the most skilled bowmakers ever.
- He made bows on several patterns and of varying weights.
- Sometimes he used a model similar to the Peccatte interpretation of François Tourte, and these heavier Simon bows play similarly to Peccatte bows.
- On the other hand, the classic, bell-shaped Simon head is derived from an earlier Tourte model.
- These tend to be lighter and more flexible than the classic Peccatte model.
- The finest Simon bows have a highly attractive, lithe flexibility and a genuine beauty of tone.Some of his bows bear the stamp: "Simon a Paris." His best bows are strong, finely balanced sticks which produce a smooth and velvety tone.Simon is one of the few makers from 1850–1875 to have made octagonal bows either for himself or for Vuillaume.
- Pierre made few or no viola bows.The chamfer of a Simon bow follows a large, generous curve which can be seen from the profile.
- Also, the chamfers are quite symmetrical in a Simon bow.
- Pierre made bows for Vuillaume, Gand Frères, Gand & Bernardel Frères, George Chanot and Bernardel et Fils.
- Pierre's brother, Barthélémy, younger by two years, was also a bow maker.
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