Eugene Nicolas SARTORY

History

Eugene Nicolas SARTORY (1871-1946) was a renowned bow maker, born in Mirecourt in 1871 and passing away in Paris, France, in 1946. He is recognized as one of the finest archetiers of the twentieth century, largely responsible for sustaining the dominant French tradition of bow making (John Dilworth, *The Brompton’s Book of Violin & Bow Makers*). He was the son and pupil of Joseph Eustache. Early in his career, he worked for Charles Peccatte in Paris, and subsequently perfected his craft with Alfred Lamy, where he stayed for several years (Henri Poidras, *Critical & Documentary Dictionary Of Violin Makers Old & Modern*; Dilworth). Sartory established his own independent workshop in Paris from the age of 18 in 1889, initially located at 12 boulevard Bonne-Nouvelle. He later moved his premises to 13 rue du Faubourg Poissonière in 1902, and finally to 3 Trévise from 1912 (Dilworth).

By 1914, Sartory employed others in his workshop, but the business closed for the duration of the First World War while he served in National Service. After 1918, his shop flourished, and he delegated work to prominent makers such as Louis Morizot, Jules Fétique, and Louis Gillet. He also opened a branch in Le Perreux-sur-Marne, a suburb of the capital (Dilworth). Eugene Nicolas Sartory received numerous honors throughout his career, including Silver Medals at Brussels in 1887 and Lyons in 1894, Diplomas of Honour at Liege in 1905, Milan in 1906, and London in 1908. He was also awarded the Paris Grand Prize in 1900 and appointed ‘Officier d'Academie’ (Poidras; Dilworth).

Craft

• Innovation: Sartory’s work is highly consistent and is based on a strengthened Nicolas Voirin model (Dilworth). His model is noted for being robust towards the head, an enhancement of N. Voirin's design (Poidras).
• Materials: Early bows were crafted from dark pernambuco wood. In his final period, most bows were made with octagonal sticks of a lighter colour (Dilworth).
• Methods: Early work featured a low head and a plain frog eye, often restricted to nickel-silver fittings due to economic constraints. Later bows showcased a broader head, more intricate decoration, a deeper throat to the frog, and a slightly flattened oval cross-section to the stick. The fittings became richer and more diverse, incorporating gold, tortoiseshell, and elaborate ‘Paris eyes’ in the frog. During his career, Tourte and Lupot models also appeared in his production. His bows were branded: ‘E.SARTORY A PARIS’ in two typefaces (Dilworth). Poidras notes his mark as "SARTORY".

Influence

• Training and Mentorship: Eugene Nicolas Sartory received his initial training from his father, Joseph Eustache. He further honed his skills by working for Charles Peccatte and Alfred Lamy in Paris. Later in his career, he delegated significant work to and influenced makers such as Louis Morizot, Jules Fétique, and Louis Gillet (Dilworth; Poidras).
• Schools/Tradition: Sartory was instrumental in sustaining the dominant French tradition of bow making in the twentieth century, building upon and strengthening the model of Nicolas Voirin (Dilworth; Poidras).
• Notable Associations: His career saw him work alongside and employ notable figures in French bow making, including Charles Peccatte, Alfred Lamy, Louis Morizot, Jules Fétique, and Louis Gillet (Dilworth; Poidras).

Legacy

• Modern Recognition: Eugene Nicolas Sartory is recognized as one of the finest archetiers of the twentieth century (Dilworth). His bows are highly esteemed for their exceptional qualities and fine workmanship (Poidras).

Further Information

• Technical Characteristics: Sartory's bow making underwent a notable evolution. Initially, his bows featured a low head, a plain frog eye, and practical nickel-silver fittings. Over time, designs became more elaborate, incorporating a broader head, richer decoration, a deeper frog throat, and a slightly flattened oval stick cross-section. Fittings advanced to include opulent materials such as gold and tortoiseshell, often with intricate 'Paris eyes'. In his later period, octagonal sticks of a lighter colour became common (Dilworth). His bows were typically branded ‘E.SARTORY A PARIS’ or, as noted by Poidras, simply 'SARTORY' (Dilworth; Poidras).

Summary

Eugene Nicolas Sartory (1871-1946) stands as a pivotal figure in 20th-century French bow making, celebrated for his exceptional craftsmanship and his role in upholding the esteemed French tradition. Trained by his father and further refined by working with masters like Charles Peccatte and Alfred Lamy, Sartory established his own successful workshop in Paris. His career spanned significant historical periods, including the closure of his business during World War I for national service, flourishing upon his return. He notably delegated work to other prominent makers such as Louis Morizot, Jules Fétique, and Louis Gillet. Sartory's bows, initially based on a strengthened Voirin model, evolved from simpler, nickel-silver fitted designs to more intricate works featuring gold, tortoiseshell, and elaborate 'Paris eyes', always maintaining a reputation for high quality and fine workmanship. He was widely recognized with numerous awards and honors, solidifying his legacy as one of the finest archetiers of his time.