A superb condition French cello bow stamped ‘Gabriel Maniere’, c.1970. Gabriel Maniere is an obscure name that has been very occasionally recorded on French instruments from the 19^th century and so we can imagine that it was a trade outlet buying and selling instruments and bows and presumably inter-generationally as this bow is from the latter part of the 20^th century.

The bow has been attributed to Roger Françios Lotte, Mirecourt, and on viewing reference works, the head is so characteristic that one would have to agree. Lotte was recognised as a fine bowmaker who worked quickly and accurately. Many of his bows bear his own stamp but he supplied bows to some of the best know shops in Mirecourt and Paris and these often bear the stamp of these famous shops rather than his own.

This nickel mounted, octagonal pernambuco bow is affordable by French bow standards and would be a terrific investment for the advancing student or young professional player.

Roger François Lotte, French Cello Bow, c.1970

Reference: VCB.304