For its first auction to mark the reopening of its "Instruments and Bows" department, Aguttes is giving pride of place to the quartet. On June 8, 2023, 106 instruments and bows will be offered for auction, to the delight of musicians and collectors alike.

"During our first auction entirely dedicated to quartet instruments and bows, which marks the rebirth of a historic Aguttes department, we will be showcasing works by renowned master luthiers, including Paul Blanchard, Charles Brugère, Émile Mennesson and Auguste Delivet. In addition, we are presenting a collection of bows by prestigious makers such as Émile Auguste Ouchard, Louis Bazin, Victor Fétique, François Lotte and Jean Joseph Martin."

Hector Chemelle, specialist

Bows. France, home of bows
The work of François Xavier Tourte (1747-1835) has made France the home of the modern bow, and his school, considered the best in the world, has ensured that France has remained the home of bows down the centuries. When we think of bow makers, we think of Tourte, Peccatte, Simon, Fétique, Martin, Ouchard, Maire, Henry, Bazin, Lamy, Sartory, Voirin, Fonclause, Adam, Eury, Gillet, Pajeot... Several of these great names feature in the catalog of the June 8, 2023 sale, which includes some twenty bows.

"My hindsight is a real asset: before buying my violin and bow, I needed to do a lot of tests and spend a lot of time thinking about it. That's why I'd like to set up appointments to play the instruments, and allow sufficient trial time before the sale. In this way, artists will be able to make their decisions calmly, and I'm convinced they'll be more inclined to buy from auction houses.

Hector Chemelle, specialist and former professional musician


74  Cello bow by Victor François Fétique
circa 1925, signed
Octagonal stick in pernambuco wood, with ebony and silver frog and solid silver button.
Weight 74.3 g. Length 69.4 cm
Estimate: € 8,000 - 10,000


72. Beautiful cello bow by Émile Auguste Ouchard fils
circa 1925, signed with his father's mark
Pernambuco wood stick with ebony and silver frog and button, Vuillaume model. 
Weight: 72.3 g with silk trim Rod length: 69.7 cm
Estimate: €5,000 - €6,000

Stringed instruments in the spotlight
The birthplace of the violin lies in Cremona, Italy. A beautifully crafted musical instrument is at once a working tool, a work of art and a "living" object, with its own voice and history. Hector Chemelle evokes the curves and proportions fashioned by Italian masters in the 17th and 18th centuries: the modern violin is the perfect result of technical and acoustic experimentation, resulting in a model that is still the benchmark; the instrument as we know it has changed little since the 18th century. Early pieces continue to be particularly prized by musicians, soloists and concert performers alike.


50 . 18th century French violin
Made in Paris by François Lejeune
Various restorations on the top, including a broken core without a core piece, a small deformation on the lower left ribs, various breaks on the ribs, a small crack on the right in the C on the back, a small crack on the headstock.
355 mm on the bottom
Estimate: €5,000 - €6,000

30 . Violin by Auguste Delivet
Made in Paris in 1905, number 145 Exhibition model
359 mm on the back
Certificate by Jean Jacques Rampal
This instrument belonged to the French sculptor Armand Martial, first Grand Prix de Rome in 1913.
Estimate: €7,000 - €8,000

21 . Violin by Charles Brugère
Made in 1927, number 284
352 mm on the back
Estimate: €7,000 - €8,000

56 . Beautiful cello by Marius Didier
Made in Mattaincourt in 1934
Bearing label and iron mark of Marius Didier
Small left ff tab break, small crack bottom left splint.
754 mm on the bottom
Estimate: €6,000 - €7,000

11 . Violin by Paul Blanchard
Made in Lyon in 1900
Bearing the original label of Paul Blanchard, iron mark on the front cleat and pen initials on the top.
359 mm on the back
Estimate: €8,000 - €10,000

Aware that musicians rarely think of auctions to buy or resell an instrument, the new specialist in the "Instruments & Bows" department aims to create a bond of trust with them, at these crucial moments in an artist's career. Speaking their language, Hector Chemelle can advise them with his ear and his knowledge of instruments. What's more, he knows what a musician is looking for, above all sound and playing/technical comfort. In his search for good-sounding instruments that can accompany artists on a daily basis, Hector is equally on the lookout for historical pieces. He reminds us that instruments are works of art in their own right, and is keen to meet the expectations of collectors who are particularly interested in the instrument's provenance, attribution and state of preservation. In this way, it ensures that all instruments are passed on to future generations, whether they are part of an artist's or a collector's life.