We deal principally in fine French bows, and have one of the best collections in Europe – we also offer a curated selection of violins and violas. Our focus is on items in excellent condition with great playing qualities and solid attributions. We are constantly being offered instruments and bows on consignment or to buy, but we only take the best examples and we have to believe in their musical properties. You can get a good idea of what we sell by looking at our Notable Sales.
We place huge emphasis on authenticity and on robust certification. All of our instruments and bows are certified by leading figures in the industry, and we make extensive use of dendrochronological analysis. The world of fine violins and bows is a minefield – we offer sober advice without pushy sales talk.
We have been dealing in violins and bows since 2005, and have built up an unrivalled reputation for quality and for customer service. Clients who visit us at home receive a warm welcome, but much of our business is international. We travel to meet clients where possible and sometimes make use of courier services. Visit the About Us page for more information.
We appeal to a more serious kind of client, whether an experienced professional player, a knowledgeable collector, or a rising young talent. People choose us because of the quality of our inventory and our transparency. We don’t offer instruments or bows with hidden defects or dodgy attributions, and our pricing is fair. Our sales record speaks for itself, and our photo archives of Sold Instruments and Sold Bows have become a valuable resource within the industry.
Anna Ashmole manages the website – this is constantly updated to reflect New Arrivals, items on trial and items sold. The website offers very detailed photos, accurate descriptions of condition, dimensions, certificate scans and translations. Website listings also include Martin’s analysis of playing quality and tonal character.
We are fortunate to be dealing in the objects that we love – the starting point for our business model is a deep appreciation of the craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibility of the violin and bow makers of the past. Learning about violins and bows is a journey that can’t be completed in one lifetime – we all stand on the shoulders of people who have gone before, and hopefully we can fill in a few details for future generations.
Although most of our clients come to us through this website, we also welcome visitors to our new home rural Somerset, which is equidistant from Bruton, Frome and Wells. If you’d like to make an appointment to visit, look at the Contact Us page for details.