Restoration demands great precision and in-depth knowledge of Old Masters. Agnès’ work is renowned for its accuracy and its capacity to bring forward bows'...
historical aesthetic
patrimonial value
Restoration demands great precision and in-depth knowledge of Old Masters. Agnès’ work is renowned for its accuracy and its capacity to bring forward bows'...
historical aesthetic
patrimonial value
Each restoration offered by Agnès Saumagne is approached with diligence and rigour, with the aim of maximising the conservation of authentic parts according to a bill of specifications established in advance. For example, she may be called to...
Research is an essential pillar of a restoration that remains in the spirit of the author, of its time, keeping in mind methodologies typical to each bow-maker. When previous restorations have hindered a bow’s authenticity, Agnès’ knowledge is a major asset.
It is sometimes preferable to preserve an excessively damaged frog or screw in all its authenticity, and conceive a new piece as a copy of the original in order to recover the functionality of the bow, in a spirit of integrity.
Copying ancient bows is a complex and precise practice. It requires a lot of time and commitment to putting oneself in the Master’s skin in order to reproduce not only the design, but also and most importantly, the sensations of play.
“Restoring is also a rediscovery of manual practices: uncovering the traces of tools in a chamfer, the carving of a unique frog, a file that left its mark… It is very moving to reveal these traces and imagine ancient bow-makers at work.”