Otto Hoyer violin bow branded "Leon Pique"

Otto Albert Hoyer (1889-1966) is the most renowned member of the Hoyer family of violin and bow makers from Markneukirchen, Germany active during the late 19th and 20th centuries. After an apprenticeship in Markneukirchen, Hoyer moved to Paris to study with Eugène Sartory, earning the nickname "Pariser" (The Parisian), with which he would habitually brand his bows to reflect his French training and perhaps distinguish himself from other makers with the Hoyer name. As a longtime assistant to Sartory, Otto Hoyer incorporated Sartory's unique playing qualities into his own bows, which have been consistently popular among prominent string players.