André Georges Richaume (8 February 1905 in

Mirecourt Mirecourt () is a Communes of France, commune in the Vosges (French department), Vosges Departments of France, department in Grand Est in northeastern France. Mirecourt is known for lace-making and the manufacture of musical instruments, particula ...

– 31 March 1966 in

Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...

) was a prominent French bowmaker, from a family of bowmakers. His grandfather was Charles Claude Fétique (1853–1911), who was a violin maker, and who had two bow-making sons, Victor François Fétique (1872–1933) and

Jules Fétique Jules Fétique (1875 in Mirecourt (Vosges) – 1951 in Gagny (Seine Saint Denis)) was a prominent French archetier from a family of bowmakers. Son of Charles Claude Fétique (1853-1911) a violin maker, and brother to Victor Fétique, Jules Fé ...

(1875–1951), and a daughter Marie Augustine Marthe Fétique (1879–1928 André's mother). André's cousin,

Marcel Fétique Marcel Gaston Fétique (born 1899 in Mirecourtdied 1977 in Paris) was a French archetier from a family of bowmakers. Son of Victor Fétique (1872-1933), the family moved to Paris when he was two years of age. He apprenticed with his father in his ...

(1899–1977 son of Victor), became a bowmaker as well. Richaume apprenticed with

Émile François Ouchard Émile François Ouchard (30 April 1872–27 February 1951) was a bow maker (''archetier'') for stringed instruments from Mirecourt, Vosges, France. Ouchard was also known as "Ouchard Père". Biography Émile François Ouchard began his app ...

in Mirecourt, before joining his uncle

Victor Fétique Victor François Fétique (Mirecourt 1872 – 1933) was a prominent French archetier (bowmaker) from a family of bowmakers. Victor, son of Charles-Claude Fétique a violin maker. He learned his craft in Mirecourt with J. B. Husson, Sigisbert Fourr ...

in 1927 in

. He established his own shop in the middle of 1930 and worked until 1966. In 1955 Richaume was awarded the distinction of "Meilleur Ouvrier de France" (one of the best craftsmen in France). He supplied fine bows to other Parisian makers under his own brand. His work is very much influenced by Ouchard and his uncle Victor Fétique.

David Oistrakh David Fyodorovich Oistrakh (; – 24 October 1974) was a Soviet Russian violinist, List of violists, violist, and Conducting, conductor. He was also Professor at the Moscow Conservatory, People's Artist of the USSR (1953), and Laureate of the ...

used a Richaume bow in the later part of his life. Oistrakh had remarked that this bow gave him great satisfaction, so much so that when in Paris, he had to go meet Richaume in person. "The bow bought by his son

Igor Oistrakh Igor Davidovich Oistrakh (; April 1931 – 14 August 2021) was a Soviet and Russian violinist. He was described by ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' as "noted for his lean, modernist interpretations". Life and career Oistrakh was born in Odessa, to ...

in 1957, had filled David with such enthusiasm that Igor made a gift of it." "André Richaume was also a restorer of very great talent, able to preserve the styles of the Masters of the past."

Quotes

"One of the great French bow makers of the 20th century". Christopher Brown "One of the most remarkable bow makers of his generation". "Superb maker in the finest tradition, whose work shows the influence of Ouchard and Fétique. It is said that his best bows are from his mature period especially those mounted in gold."Filimonov Fine Violins
/ref> Gennady Filimonov

References

* * * * Discovering bows for the Double Bass 1994 Beaux Arts Editions - Christopher Brown * Dictionnaire Universel del Luthiers - Rene Vannes 1951,1972, 1985 (vol.3) *

Universal Dictionary of Violin & Bow Makers The ''Universal Dictionary of Violin & Bow Makers'' is a widely cited reference work providing information on approximately 9,000 violin makers. The work is based on the extensive notes of violinist and composer William Henley (1874-1957). Henley ...

- William Henley 1970 {{DEFAULTSORT:Richaume, Andre 1905 births 1966 deaths Luthiers from Mirecourt Bow makers