A silver-mounted cello bow in the Voirin tradition, 77.4 grams
Known as "Lamy Père," the son of Jean Joseph, he apprenticed under C. C. N. Husson from the age of 12 and was influenced by Vuillaume-Voirin styles. Between 1868 and 1876, he worked for Gautrot in Chateau-Thierry, employing Husson's techniques and designs. In 1876, he joined F. N. Voirin in Paris to become his assistant. After Voirin's death, in 1885, he set up his own workshop at 34 rue Poissonnière, becoming one of the few classical bow makers to create a unique brand without catering to dealers or violin makers with external labels. His work was heavily influenced by Voirin, with some models being almost indistinguishable from his master's.
Lamy Père received silver and gold medals at the Paris exhibitions in 1889 and 1900. As his career developed, he changed his model slightly, with his later ones characterised by wider heads and stronger chamfers. His sons, Georges Léon and Hippolyte Camille, assisted him, with Hippolyte taking over the business in 1919 following Georges' death in World War I (1915). His bows, especially his Tourte replicas, are celebrated for their exceptional craftsmanship in the Voirin tradition.
He is considered one of the greatest French bow makers, the link between Voirin and Sartory.
Documentation available to qualified buyers.
Joseph Alfred Lamy (1850 to 1919), known as Lamy Père, apprenticed under C.C.N. Husson from the age of twelve, worked for Gautrot at Château-Thierry, then joined F.N. Voirin in Paris in 1876 as his assistant. He opened his own workshop on the rue Poissonnière in 1885 and won medals at the Paris exhibitions of 1889 and 1900.
Silver-Mounted Cello Bow by Joseph Alfred Lamy Père, Paris c.1900
£20,000 to £25,000
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