Cello, François Xavier Tourte
Starting at $75,000
| Weight | 80.3 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 70 cm |
| Price Range | Min |
| Year | around 1810 |
| City | Paris |
| Materials | ebony, silver |
| Certified by | Isaac Salchow |
FRANÇOIS XAVIER "TOURTE LE JEUNE" TOURTE (1748, PARIS – April 25, 1835, PARIS) The youngest son of carpenter, luthier, and bow maker Nicolas Pierre Tourte, François Xavier began his training as a clockmaker until 1774, before devoting himself to bow making alongside his brother Nicolas Léonard Tourte. His encounter with musicians Jean-Baptiste Viotti and Rodolphe Kreutzer led him to design the modern bow model, which remains a model of perfection for all bow makers today. Due to the political difficulties encountered by his older brother during the French Revolution, François Xavier became the only member of the Tourte family to work freely. He remained in Paris until his death in 1835, continuing his work until 1833. His creative genius and perfect mastery of his art earned him the well-deserved nickname "the Stradivarius of bows."