Louis Gillet, c. 1940s

Louis Henri Gillet (1891-1970) was born to an instrument and bow making family in Nancy, France. Orphaned at the age of nine, Gillet begain his bowmaking apprenticeship at the Thibouville-Lamy firm, where he worked until being drafted into the First World War. Following his military service, he relocated to Dijon and worked independently until 1934, when he succeeded Jules Fetique as Eugene Sartory's assistant. Gillet and Sartory formed a close relationship and Gillet remained there until Sartory's death in 1946. 

 

The elegance and consistency of Gillet bows rivals the very best French makers, and his work has been affectionately coined the 'poor man's Sartory'. Gillet's initials have been found on existing Sartory bows and it is known that he made some of the double bass bows bearing Sartory stamps. Among others, one can find the following stamps on bows made by Gillet: Joseph Aubry, Georges Dupuy, and Victor Fetique. We find his bows to be a real bargain, commanding far lower prices than that of other prominent makers of the period.

 

This particular example is stamped L. GILLET and features an octagonal stick of high-quality pernambuco, an ivory tip plate, silver winding, and black leather grip. The frog is ebony fully mounted in silver, with pearl slide, Parisian eyes, and a silver button. An excellent player in very good condition.