Bernard Millant (1920–2011): Bow Maker and Expert
Bernard Millant was a French bow expert, dealer, and author whose work had a lasting influence on the study, attribution, and preservation of historical violin bows. Based in Paris, he became one of the most respected authorities on French bow making, particularly of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Millant established his shop in Paris after the Second World War and devoted his career to the careful examination, certification, and documentation of bows by major French makers. His expertise was especially associated with the work of François Xavier Tourte and the lineage of makers who followed Tourte’s model, including Dominique Peccatte, FN Voirin, and Eugene Sartory. Through decades of close study, Millant developed a refined eye for stylistic detail, construction methods, and historical context, earning the trust of musicians, collectors, and institutions worldwide.
In addition to his work as a dealer and expert, Millant made a significant scholarly contribution through his publications. He collaborated with Jean-François Raffin on L’Archet, a reference work that remains an important resource for the identification and study of French bows. His writings emphasized careful observation and comparative analysis, helping to formalize standards that continue to guide modern bow expertise.
Bernard Millant’s certificates are still widely respected in the international string-instrument market, and his influence endures through the many experts and dealers shaped by his methods. His legacy lies in bridging connoisseurship and scholarship, advancing a deeper, more rigorous understanding of the French bow-making tradition.
