Pierre Guillaume occupies a special place in the rich tradition of French bow making. As an internationally recognised master craftsman and expert, he combines precision craftsmanship, aesthetic sensitivity and scientifically sound expertise to create an exceptional profile.
Pierre Guillaume's origins and training
Born in Belgium in 1954, Pierre Guillaume discovered his passion for bow making and the tonal expressiveness of the bow at an early age. He was trained in the classical Mirecourt tradition – the school that has set the standards for French craftsmanship for generations. Guillaume learned from outstanding masters such as C. A. Bazin, Louis Morizot and Bernard Ouchard. This solid training gave him the tools to forge his own path without losing his roots in French tradition. 
Pierre Guillaume's workshop and professional career
Since the mid-1980s, Pierre Guillaume has been running his workshop and working as an expert in Brussels, where he is associated with the traditional Atelier Maison Bernard – a company that has stood for the highest level of expertise in the care and restoration of string instruments since 1868.
Here, Guillaume combines his work as a manufacturer of high-quality bow strings with his role as a court-appointed expert for French bows. His workshop is a meeting place between tradition and modern craftsmanship, where precision, knowledge of materials and sensitivity to sound come together.
Expertise and appraisal work by Pierre Guillaume
In addition to crafting fine new bows, Pierre Guillaume is internationally renowned as an expert in the authentication and appraisal of historical and modern bows. Guillaume certificates are regarded as the epitome of professional reliability in international trade, among musicians and collectors alike. He is also an expert witness for the Brussels Public Prosecutor's Office, a position that underscores the particular seriousness and credibility of his appraisal work.
Significance of the Guillaume certificate for collectors and musicians
For musicians and collectors, Pierre Guillaume forms an interface between artisan bow making and scientifically documented expertise. A Guillaume certificate stands for the guaranteed origin, authenticity and quality of a bow – and is therefore not only a document of provenance, but also a guarantee of artistic value.
