Featured Bow: May 2026

François Nicolas Voirin

ca. 1875, Paris

François Nicolas Voirin (1833-1885) was a preeminent French bowmaker who revolutionized the craft in the 19th century. After apprenticing in Mirecourt, he joined the Parisian workshop of his cousin, Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, where he refined his skills for fifteen years.

Voirin eventually established his own atelier, developing a distinct style characterized by slender, elegant sticks and a shifted balance point. His personal model favored agility and a lighter touch, moving away from the heavier Tourte tradition. His masterful craftsmanship and technical innovations profoundly influenced generations of makers and the evolution of the modern bow.

This bow is really well preserved and characteristic of the elegant and clean workmanship of this astounding maker.