Joseph Rene Lafleur
Paris, 1812–1874
Joseph Rene Lafleur (1812-1874) was a significant French bowmaker, son and successor of Jacques Lafleur. He was employed by Lupot and later established his own workshop in Paris, producing both innovative and conventional bows of high quality, some of which are preserved in the Paris Conservatoire Museum. His work was compared favorably to that of François Tourte, and his firm also expanded into music publishing.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
33 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | One-piece back, varnish of a red brown colour on a golden ground, minor table crack to the lower bout Lot 20 | Millon & A. | January 2024 | £8,019est. € 3.000-4.000 |
| Violin Bow | Silver mounted Lot 233 | Vichy | December 2021 | £11,609est. € 4.000-5.000 |
| Violin Bow | Silver mounted, ebony frog Lot 287 | Arteal | November 2021 | £4,244est. CHF 2,800-3,800 |
| Violin Bow | Silver mounted, frog and button by M.L. Piernot, thin lapping Lot 90 | Vichy | November 2019 | £11,283est. € 7.000-8.000 |
| Violin Bow | Nickel mounted, octagonal stick unstamped, frog and button later Lot 108 | Tarisio | October 2019 | £3,000est. £ 2,500-4,000 |
| Violin Bow | Millant collection, silver mounted Lot 148 | Vichy | December 2018 | £55,292est. € 30.000-40.000 |
| Violin Bow | Nickel mounted, minus hair, thin lapping Lot 127 | Vichy | June 2018 | £946est. € 1.000-1.500 |
| Violin Bow | Bernard Millant collection, illustrated in L'Archet, tome I, p. 303, n. 18; silver mounted Lot 35 | Vichy | November 2017 | £52,800est. € 35.000-40.000 |
| Violin Bow | Silver mounted, minus hair Lot 290 | Vichy | November 2017 | £4,224est. € 6.000-7.000 |
| Cello Bow | Literature: L'Archet, tome II, p. 237, n. 5; silver mounted Lot 250 | Vichy | December 2016 | £30,463est. € 30.000-35.000 |
| Violin Bow | Silver mounted, frog and button by Charles Nicolas Bazin Lot 80 | Vichy | June 2016 | £9,900est. € 10.000-15.000 |
| Violin Bow | Illustrated in L'Archet, tome II, p. 236, n. 4; experimental model in five parts Lot 290 | Vichy | June 2016 | £4,714est. € 5.000-6.000 |
| Violin Bow | Round stick stamped Lafleur, nickel mounted frog and silver mounted button later Lot 167 | Tarisio | October 2014 | £3,752est. $ 6,000-9,000 |
| Violin Bow | Lot 108 | Bonhams | July 2012 | £23,750 |
| Violin Bow | Silver mounted, frog by E. Sartory Lot 280 | Vichy | June 2012 | £14,071est. € 8.000-10.000 |
| Cello Bow | Silver mounted, round stick stamped Lafleur, ebony frog with pearl eye, button with two silver bands Lot 48 | Sotheby's | March 2012 | £5,000est. £ 4,000-6,000 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 47.5 g. without hair or winding | — | January 2011 | £22,193 |
| Cello Bow | N/E 74 g. Worskhop of | — | January 2011 | £3,306 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60.5 g. Attributed to | — | January 2011 | £2,731 |
| Violin Bow | 46.5 g. without hair or winding | — | January 2009 | £4,356 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 77 g. (button not original) | — | January 2007 | £12,024 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58.5 g. | — | January 2007 | £11,500 |
| Violin Bow | N/E 58.5 g. (button not original) | — | January 2006 | £4,618 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 70.5 g. Attributed to | — | January 2006 | £7,358 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60.5 g. (original repair to center stick) | — | January 2006 | £3,066 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. | — | January 2005 | £8,050 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 49.0 g. no lapping Attributed to | — | January 2004 | £1,272 |
| Violin | N/E 58.0 g. | — | January 2004 | £2,573 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57 g. | — | January 2003 | £7,200 |
| Violin Bow | N/E 61 g. | — | January 1998 | £2,300 |
| Violin | 1911 | — | January 1998 | £575 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 56 g. | — | January 1997 | £1,092 |
| Violin Bow | N/E 61 g. | — | January 1996 | £2,300 |
No results match those filters.
Maker Overview
Life
Joseph Rene Lafleur (1812-1874) was born on July 8, 1812, in Paris, France, and died on February 19, 1874, in Maisons Lafitte. He was the son and successor of Jacques Lafleur. Joseph Rene Lafleur was active as a bowmaker from approximately 1830. From about 1833, he was employed by Lupot. He established himself independently at 9 rue de Petit Carreau, and from 1849, at 2 Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle. According to Cecie Stainer, he was living in the rue de la Cite in 1835, likely having moved there from rue de la Juiverie after his father's death. He apparently retired around 1865. His brother went to London, where he was still living in 1824.
Characteristics
- Bowmaking Style
- He worked in the style of his master, Lupot, characterized by low plain frogs.
- Innovation
- He produced some eccentric and innovative work, including bows with laminated and reinforced sticks.
- Quality
- He also created many conventional and beautiful bows, noted for their excellent wood and fine playing qualities.
- Comparison
- His bows rival those of François Tourte, and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff noted his significance as a bowmaker, placing him close to Tourte.
- Branding
- His bows were branded "LAFLEUR" according to Millant/Raffin.
- Notable Works
- Several beautiful bows by him, including interesting experimental pieces, are preserved in the Museum of the Paris Conservatoire.
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: He was a pupil of his father, Jacques Lafleur.
- Stylistic Influence: He worked in the style of Lupot, by whom he was employed from approximately 1833.
- Associates: He may briefly have employed F. Peccatte.
- Museum Collections: Several of his beautiful bows, including interesting experimental pieces, are preserved in the Museum of the Paris Conservatoire.
- Business Expansion: Since about 1840, the Lafleur firm, established in the boulevard Bonne-Nouvelle, added a music-publishing business to its instrument making activities.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
LAFLEUR, Joseph René Born 1812, died 1874 Paris France. Son and successor of Jacques Lafleur, above. Active bowmaker from c.1830. Employed by Lupot from c.1833, and worked in the style of his master with low plain frogs. Established independently at 9 rue de Petit Carreau, and from 1849 at 2 Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle. May briefly have employed F. Peccatte. Apparently retired c.1865. Produced some eccentric and innovative work with laminated and reinforced sticks, but also many conventional and beautiful bows with excellent wood and fine playing qualities. Branded: LAFLEUR [Millant/Raffin]
Cecie Stainer+
Son of Jacques ; b. July 8, 1812, Paris ; d. Feb. 19, 1874, Maisons Lafitte. Was living in the rue de la Cite in 1835, probably moved there from rue de la Juiverie after his father’s death. Pupil of his father, and a very clever workman, producing bows which rival those of François Tourte; a very beautiful one is in the Paris Conservatoire Collection.
Since about 1840 the Lafleur firm has been established in the boulevard Bonne-Nouvelle pres de la porte Saint-Denis, and has added a music-publishing business to that of instrument making.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Sohn von Jacques L. — Er war ursprünglich Geiger und wandte sich erst
später der Geigenmacherei zu; zuletzt wurde er auch Musikverleger. Bedeutung
hatte er nur als Bogenmacher und kam in dieser Beziehung Tourte nahe.
Mehrere schöne Bögen von ihm, darunter interessante Versuche, bewahrt das
Museum des Pariser Conservatoriums. — Ein Bruder von ihm ging nach
London, wo er noch 1824 lebte.
Sell your instrument with Amati
Get started by uploading photos of your instrument for our experts to review.
Sell your instrument with Amati
Get started by uploading photos of your instrument for our experts to review.
