プロスパ・コラス
Career
Prosper COLAS’ work is similar to that of François BAZIN, Claude HUSSON, and Pierre CUNIOT.
COLAS came to Paris in 1871 where he likely met Jean-Baptiste VUILLAUME and worked for him. The first bows bearing his brand can be dated to this period.
Works
COLAS produced a huge quantity of bows and worked for several violin makers. His best production was c. 1900. A second, lower quality production is stamped “P.C.”. Aside from his bows, one can find instruments bearing Prosper COLAS’ label as he sold mail order instruments made by the primary Mirecourt workshops of his time: Jérôme THIBOUVILLE LAMY and Marc LABERTE.
Collaborators and Successors
At his death, COLAS’ firm was taken over by FERRET-MARCOTTE.
Stamps
– “PROSPER COLAS A PARIS”
– “PROSPER COLAS – PARIS” (see iconography)
– “P.C”
Sources
– L’Archet, Bernard Millant & J.F Raffin.
– Les Archets Français, Etienne Vatelot.
(More specific publication references are available in our Bibliography section.)
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Bow maker
(maker: 1842 – 1919)
Firm information about Prosper Colas’ early life and training is not forthcoming, but it seems that he was born in Coincourt and apprenticed locally before arriving in Paris in 1871, probably to work for J.B. Vuillaume. Regardless of who may have employed him initially, bows branded with Colas’ own name can be found as early as 1871. Sometime after his arrival he appears to have started his own shop, which was prolific and successful, peaking around 1900. The workshop employed several talented makers and used various models, though on the whole the most significant influence was that of Bazin.
Vuillaume-style frogs are common in Colas’ work, as well as high and straight heads, and wider throats. After 1900 the style becomes heavier but the work is still of good quality. Many of the workshop’s bows were sold to other firms, sometimes with Colas’ brand, “Prosper Colas à Paris,” and sometimes not. For simpler bows, he used the brand “P.C.”
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