Victor Fétique violin bow, Paris circa 1930

One of the most influential bow makers at the turn of the 20th century, Victor François Fétique (1872-1933) was born in Mirecourt, France into a family of luthiers. Son of violin maker Charles-Claude Fétique (1853-1911), Victor and his brother Jules (1875-1951) learned bow making in various Mirecourt workshops including those of Jean-Baptiste Husson, Sigisbert Fourrier Maline, and Paul Émile Miquel, before joining the firm of Charles Nicolas Bazin. Both brothers later took jobs in Paris: Victor joined Caressa & Français in 1901 and Jules joined the workshop of Eugéne Sartory in 1902.

In 1913, Victor Fétique established his own workshop where his son Marcel Gaston Fétique (1899-1977) and his nephew André Richaume also trained as bow makers. Victor employed numerous celebrated bow makers, including Claude Thomassin, Louis Morizot, Auguste Toussaint, Claude Rémy, Paul Weidhaas, and André Vigneron (Vigneron fils), while also collaborating with his brother. Fétique's prolific workshop produced bows for many French violin makers and dealers who generally branded the bows with their own names, including Léon Bernardel, Collin-Mézin, Chanot & Chardon, Paul Jombar, Maucotel & Dechamp, and Alfred Vidoudez.

Fétique bows are highly regarded by professional players and collectors.

Sold with a certificate of authenticity from Salchow & Sons.