Dictionary of Makers

Pierre Simon apprenticed and worked in his hometown of Mirecourt until 1838, when he moved to Paris to join the workshop of Dominique Peccatte. The Peccatte influence is quite strong in Simon's work, but in 1840 he decamped for the Vuillaumeworkshop, where he stayed until 1844 and produced many fine bows, some of the "picture" variety. In spite of this change in employment, when Peccatte moved back to Mirecourt in 1848 he left his Paris workshop to Simon, who continued to make bows for Vuillaume and also for Gand frères. 

 

From 1848 to 1851 Simon worked in partnership with Joseph Henry but they don't seem to have worked well together. Most bows resulting from that collaboration are branded, "Simon" despite being almost entirely by Henry. Simon's work from about 1860 on begins to take on a certain heft, especially after 1870. Nonetheless he produced a great many bows of excellent quality.