Jean Pierre Marie Persois

Jean Pierre Marie Persoit [Persois] - (b. ?Mirecourt, 1782–3; d. after 1854) was a great [Raffin, Jean Francois; Millant, Bernard (2000). L'Archet. Paris: L'Archet Éditions. ISBN 295155690X] and intriguing French Archetier / Bowmaker. [P. Childs: Jean Pierre Marie Persoit: his Life and Work (Montrose, NY, 1993)]

One of the first bowmakers to be hired by the young Jean Baptiste Vuillaume. Persoit seems to have worked in this studio for at least 15 years (1823–41 according to Millant; 1828–43 according to Vatelot).

It nevertheless remains difficult to recognize his work under the Vuillaume stamp.

His best bows, are remarkably close to the François Tourte style (especially those with octagonal sticks), though there are small but telling differences: the octagonals are not so sharply planed; the heads are rather more squared; the frogs are more solid and with shallower throats; and the distinctive buttons have unequally wide bands which cover most of the ebony. [cite book | last=Childs | first=Paul | title=Jean Pierre Marie Persoit: his Life and Work | location=Montrose, NY | publisher=Magic Bow | year=1993 | isbn=0965178838]

Persoit’s round-shafted bows are more personal and generally bulkier than the Tourte ideal. Most are also slightly short.His brand PRS is stamped on the stick under the frog and under the lapping, occasionally as many as three times, although sometimes not at all. His work is only rarely seen today but much appreciated. [J. Liivoja-Lorius: ‘The Bows of Persois’, The Strad, xci (1980–81), 254–6] It is most likely that Persoit left Paris after 1854 either to retire or to be cared for."Some may not be aware that it was Persoit (Persois) who trained Dominique Peccatte". [ [http://www.filimonovfineviolins.tk Gennady Filimonov] ]

Bibliography

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References

*W.C. Retford: Bows and Bow Makers (London, 1964)
*R. Millant: J.B. Vuillaume: sa vie et son oeuvre (London, 1972)
*J. Liivoja-Lorius: ‘The Bows of Persois’, The Strad, xci (1980–81), 254–6
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* Dictionnaire Universel del Luthiers - Rene Vannes 1951,1972, 1985 (vol.3)
* Universal Dictionary of Violin & Bow Makers - William Henley 1970J. Liivoja-Lorius: ‘The Bows of Persois’, The Strad, xci (1980–81), 254–6