Author Archives: Anna
Louis Thomassin Cello Bow, Paris circa 1895
£17,500
This is a rare cello bow by Louis Thomassin, co-worker and successor to FN Voirin. It’s a beautiful example of his work and in fine condition. More details
Marcel Lapierre Viola Bow, Mirecourt circa 1950
£5,250
This is a particularly nice example of Marcel Lapierre’s work – made with unusually fine wood, and with excellent playing qualities. More details
Jean Persoit Violin Bow, Paris circa 1830
£27,000
Jean Persoit is one of the most hallowed names in bow-making, really the only maker to rival FX Tourte. Here we have a restored example that is nonetheless quite beautiful and an outstanding player’s bow. More details
EF&EA Ouchard Violin Bow, Mirecourt circa 1925
£12,000
Here is another showing “collaboration” bow, made in the workshop of EF Ouchard but the hand of his son EA Ouchard. Made for Lucien Schmidt of Grenoble, this is a very high quality stick with an excellent playing character. Very good condition too.
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WE Hill & Son Violin Bow, William Johnston circa 1900
£11,500
Everyone is familiar with the quality of Hill bows – here we have a very early silver and ivory example from around 1900 bearing the maker’s mark of William Johnston (first mark with vertical nicks). The sound is first class and the condition is unusually good. More details
Mars Auguste Husson Violin Bow, Paris circa 1925
£15,000
This is a very fine and rare ivory-mounted bow by Auguste Husson, a Parisian maker of the early 20th century. It’s in excellent condition and is a top class player. More details
Joseph Lafleur Violin Bow, Paris circa 1830
£35,000
Lafleur is one of the great names in French bow-making, and this is a very fine early example of his work. Contemporary bow-makers would kill or maim to get their hands on this quality of pernambuco, dense, veined and beautifully flamed. The head is very artistic, a bell-like model which Pierre Simon championed in his work. Typical frog with 2-piece heel-plate, one single pin in the centre of the back plate. More details
Hermann Prell Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1920
£4,750
This is the second bow we have by Hermann Prell, whose main claim to fame was the fact that he worked briefly for Sartory. Here we have a fine silver-mounted example in unblemished condition, and a great all-round player. More details
WE Hill & Son Violin Bow, London 1959
£12,000
There are Hill bows and Hill bows … and this is about as good as you can get, a chased gold and tortoiseshell fleur de lys bow in mint condition. And it plays! More details
WE Hill & Son Violin Bow, London 1957
£8,000
This is a fine gold mounted Hill bow from 1957, the stick made by Arthur Copley. It’s in immaculate condition and its playing qualities are quintessentially Hill – unpretentious and utterly reliable! More details
HR Pfretzschner Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1920
£8,250
This is a rare and exquisite gold and tortoiseshell HR Pfretzschner from around 1920. It’s in excellent condition and it plays beautifully with a muscular warm sound.
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Stephane Muller Viola Bow, Toulouse circa 1990
£5,250
This is a beautifully made viola bow by contemporary French maker Stéphane Muller, bearing the serial number 9589. The wood is outstanding, the condition is very good, and the sound is bold and solistic.
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Jean Joseph Martin Violin Bow for JB Vuillaume, Paris circa 1870
£20,000
This is a very nice Vuillaume bow made by JJ Martin around 1870. Built on a typcial Vuillaume model, it’s a very attractive bow with a huge sound. More details
Francois Peccatte Violin Bow, Paris circa 1845
£45,000
François Peccatte, brother of Dominique, is a maker whose star is in the ascendant. His preference for nickel and for unusual woods has to some extent obscured the quality of his making, but this bow is stunning. More details
G B Gaibisso Violin, Alassio 1949
£47,500
This is a beautiful modern Italian violin by GB Gaibisso, a lesser known but very talented Ligurian maker. It’s in perfect condition and has a great sound. More details
Alfred Tubbs Violin Bow, London circa 1915
£12,000
This is an exceptional bow by Alf Tubbs, dedicated to the 1900 the winner of the Stainer Prize, Dora Robins. Slightly short and light, what was described at the time as a “ladies’ bow”, nonetheless a terrific player and a uniquely collectable Tubbs. More details
JA Vigneron Violin Bow, Paris circa 1895
£17,500
Joseph Arthur Vigneron is for me something of an unsung hero. His bows are great musician’s tools, not refined like Voirin but still exceptionally well made. Here we have a fine example in excellent condition, also an outstanding player. More details
Paolo De Barbieri Violin, Genoa 1946
£52,500
Paolo de Barbieri is a highly respected maker, and a leading figure in the modern Geonese school. For most of his life he produced copies of the del Gesu Cannone, which was gifted to the city of Genoa by Paganini and can still be seen in the Palazzo Tursi. This violin is an unusually attractive example with a rich golden varnish and an outstanding concert tone. More details
Eugène Sartory Violin Bow, Paris circa 1915
£47,500
This is a spectacular gold mounted Sartory in excellent condition, and with the playing qualities you would expect from this maker’s best work. More details
JS Finkel Viola Bow circa 1990
£950
A very good Finkel “Lefin” viola bow, around 25-30 years old but in perect condition. It plays unusually well for the price, with a rounded, muscular tone and easy control off the string. More details
Johannes Franciscus Cuypers (II) Violin, Amsterdam circa 1840
£32,500
Johannes Franciscus Cuypers (II) was the last in a long line of Dutch makers. All Cuypers instruments share very similar traits, and all are highly prized for their superb tonal qualities. This is a lovely and fine sounding example in great condition. More details
Eugène Sartory Cello Bow, Paris circa 1910 (mounts not original)
£28,000
Eugène Sartory is probably the most popular maker of all time, and his bows are the mainstay of professional musicians the world over. Here we have a very fine cello stick from his best period, very well preserved and of an ideal weight. The mounts are well-fitting copies, probably made for the bow. More details
Michael Taylor Viola Bow, Ealing Strings 1989
£5,000
This is a very fine Peccatte model viola bow made by Michael Taylor for Ealing Strings. The property of a professional player, it’s in excellent condition and draws a big sound. More details
A Mittenwald Violin circa 1870
£4,000
This is a good Mittenwald violin of the Neuner and Hornsteiner type, with a typical deep red varnish that’s slightly craquelled. More details
A Mittenwald Small Viola circa 1830
£5,000
This is a very attractive small viola made in Mittenwald in the early 1800s. It’s in good condition and it has surprisingly warm and full sound. More details
WE Hill & Sons Violin Bow, London circa 1970
Sold
This is a superb gold and tortoiseshell mounted Hill bow from the 1970s. The bow is branded WE Hill & Son, this brand being reserved for the best quality of sticks. However, we don’t need the brand to tell us what the quality of the bow is, since gold and tortoiseshell Hills are the pinnacle of their output. More details
WE Hill & Sons Violin Bow, London circa 1940
Sold
This a lovely Hill bow by Arthur Copley, silver mounted, and with its original whalebone lapping. Although it bears the WE Hill & Son stamp reserved for their best bows, it’s a bit tatty here and there, hence the bargain price. There are no significant condition issues, but the frog is chipped and has a repaired crack, the stick’s a bit nibbled here and there, and the silver face plate is slightly dented. More details
Dominique Peccatte Violin Bow, Paris circa 1845
£80,000
Dominique Peccatte bows are highly prized for their playing qualities, and this one is a dream, strong yet supple in a uniquely 19th century way. The frog is also Dominique Peccatte but from another bow, and the price reflects this. More details
Rodolfo Fredi Violin, Rome 1927
£50,000
Rodolfo Fredi was a prolific and successful maker. He produced violins of variying qualities – the better instruments are beautifully made and tonally outstanding. This example is his best quality of work, currently in excellent condition. More details
Jacques-Pierre Thibout Violin, Paris 1825
£45,000
Jacques-Pierre Thibout is perhaps the most artistic of the Parisian makers. He was a contemporary of Nicholas Lupot, and if he had made faithful Strad copies rather than pursuing his own model he would probably be the better known maker. Here we have a beautiful example in immaculate condition – definitely the finest Thibout I have seen and the best sounding too. More details
George Wulme Hudson Violin, London 1909
£23,500 On trial
George Wulme Hudson is one of the great English copyists, and this fine Stradivari copy is one of the nicest instruments we have seen from him. It’s in near mint condition, and it has an outstanding concert tone. More details
James Steele Violin, London 1924
£6,000
This is a lovely English violin in the tradition of Joseph Chanot. It’s in pretty much flawless condition and the sound is just great. More details
Günter Paulus Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1980
£1,850
Günter Paulus belongs to a large family of bow-makers stretching back to the 19th century. We have sold a number of his bows – all have been of the highest quality and excellent players. More details
Eugène Sartory Violin Bow, Paris circa 1898
£18,000
This is a very fine Sartory in excellent condition. The stick is almost a centimetre longer than normal, hence the bargain price. Ideal for a taller player! More details
Ludovico Rastelli Violin, Genoa circa 1870
£60,000
This is a very charming late 19th century Italian violin by the rare Genoese maker Ludovico Rastelli. It’s entirely free from cracks and has a muscular, beautifully balanced sound. More details
Jean Grand Adam Cello Bow, Paris circa 1850
£48,500 On trial
Jean “Grand” Adam is a maker whose genius has only recently been acknowledged. Here we have an excellent stick dating from around 1850, fitted with new copy mounts. More details
WE Hill & Son Violin Bow, London 1939
£5,750
This is a beautifully preserved Hill bow from 1939 with outstanding tone and playability. More details
HR Pfretzschner Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1885
£7,500
This is a rare early Pfretzschner with some unusual features, made as a copy of an earlier French bow. A great bow for classical repertoire, with a beautiful and luminous tone. More details
A Mirecourt 7/8 Violin, Poirsons Label, 1914
£1,350
This is a fine sounding Mirecourt 7/8 violin, ideal for a smaller player, and very affordable. More details
Carl Albert Nürnberger Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1920
£5,750
Another lovely Tourte-model Carl Albert Nürnberger, this one from the 1920s but already exhibiting all the typical features. Lighter than many but still a firm stick with a full sound. More details
WE Hill & Son Violin Bow, London 1939
£9,000
WE Hill & Son bows come in many grades and levels of quality, but this bow must be one of the the best examples. A great player’s bow too, and in unusually fine condition. More details
HR Pfretzschner Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1890
£5,750
This is a fine early Pfretzschner in very good condition – a beautiful piece of bow-making and a phenomenal player. More details
Charles Bazin Violin Bow, Mirecourt circa 1960
£4,500
Charles Bazin was the last of a long line of Mirecourt makers, working alongside his father Louis Bazin for most of his life. He was a very consistent maker, and this bow is a superb player as you would expect. More details
Carl Albert Nürnberger Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1930
£6,000
This is a classic 1930s Nürnberger bow in mint condition, and a very solid player drawing a big tone More details
Adolf Christian Nürnberger Cello Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1880
£9,500
This is an exceptional cello bow by a very rare maker, not to be confused with Albert Nürnberger. Made from first-class pernambuco reminiscent of FX Tourte wood, and in excellent condition. More details
Jerome Thibouville-Lamy Violin, Mirecourt 1905
£7,250
Jerome Thibouville-Lamy, or JTL, is one of the best-known names in the violin trade. The JTL mega-workshops in the Vosges produced hundreds of thousands of violins from the late 19th century to the mid 20th century. Mostly these were student violins which have remained popular on account of their excellent sound. But they also produced beautiful handmade “violons de maitre”, most likely the work of Alfred Acoulon – these were signed and numbered, and sold at the time for 10 times the price of their ever-popular Barnabetti-labelled instruments. More details
Fritz Müller Cello Bow, Bubenreuth circa 1960
£2,750
This is a rather superior modern German bow with decorative mounts – it’s a stiff and powerful stick in a shorter length, ideal for a smaller player. More details
Emile F. Ouchard Violin Bow, Mirecourt circa 1925
£7,000
Emile Ouchard is one of the more undervalued of French makers, largely because he worked in Mirecourt rather than Paris. Here we have a very nice and typical example in excellent condition. More details
A French Viola Bow, Mirecourt circa 1920
£2,500
This is a lovely French viola bow of the Ouchard/Cuniot-Hury type, made in Mirecourt around 1930. Quite light in weight but packing a punch, this is a very versatile bow which draws a full and elegant sound. More details
Luigi Salsedo Violin, 1928
Recently sold
“Luigi Salsedo” instruments are well known in the UK, and have always been well regarded for their excellent tonal properties. This is a typical example in excellent condition, with a rich and powerful sound. More details
Carl Albert Nürnberger Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1920
£5,000
Carl Albert Nürnberger was one of the third generation of bowmakers from this important German family. His work is very accomplished and quite distinctive, particularly the bold Parisian eyes and the use of plain mother of pearl. More details
Étienne Pajeot Violin Bow, Mirecourt circa 1825
£40,000
Étienne Pajeot is one of the most important figures in the history of bow-making. This example is a top class player’s bow in very fine condition The original frog is an experimental open ebony frog – we are offering the bow with an additional and more workable copy frog made by Yannick Le Canu. More details
Tino Lucke Violin Bow, Berlin 2006
£7,000
Tino Lucke is a highly respected modern maker whose bows are in great demand amongst players. Here we have a beautiful example of his work in mint condition. More details
James Tubbs Viola Bow, London circa 1870
£18,000
This is a great early James Tubbs viola bow made for WE Hill whose brand it bears. It’s in a very fine state of preservation and it’s an unusually versatile player. More details
Georges Chanot Violin, Paris circa 1830
£60,000
Georges Chanot is widely regarded as one of the greatest French makers, with a very personal style and a great reputation for tone. This example is an early Strad model, very artistic and with a phenomenal sound. More details
FN Voirin Violin Bow, Paris circa 1880
£25,000
FN Voirin is one of the few genuinely important makers, and here we have an unusually fine example of his work in excellent condition. It’s also a very strong stick with superb playing qualities. More details
Nicolaus Georg Skomal Violin, Graz 1804
£15,000
Nicolaus Skomal was a Prague maker who lived and worked in Graz, Austria, producing violin family instruments as well as guitars and lutes. This violin is beautifully made exhibiting great skill, and the sound is first class. More details
A Good Mittenwald Violin, circa 1820
£8,500
This is a lovely Mittenwald “Verleger” violin in outstanding condition, with a bright zingy sound that’s full of character. More details
Gustav Lütschg Violin, Bern 1927
£10,000
Gustav Lütschg was a fine Swiss maker, pupil of and successor to Gustav Methfessel. This violin is a lovely example of his work in near-perfect condition, with a rich and slightly dark sound. More details
Antonio Rovetta Violin, Brescia 1898
£8,500
This is a lovely and idiosyncratic late 19th century Italian violin bearing an authentic label and brand from Antonio Rovetta. It’s a great sounding instrument and very affordable … More details
Hippolyte Chrétien Silvestre Violin, Lyon 1876
£35,000
The Silvestre family were at the heart of French violin-making in the 19th century, with strong connections to Gand and Vuillaume – to my mind HC Silvestre was the most successful maker in the family. Here we have a beautiful HC Silvestre in near-mint condition and with a top-class concert sound. More details
Giovanni & Giuseppe Dollenz Violin, Trieste circa 1855
£55,000
For a long time Giovanni Dollenz’s rare ability as a maker has been attributed to some connection with Storioni – such stories sell violins! Whatever his influences, he was a maker with a dashing and individual style. The violins in the 1850s were made in collaboration with his son Giuseppe, who is regarded as in every way the equal of his father. More details
Gand & Bernardel Viola, Paris 1888
£45,000
Gand & Bernardel were the largest and most prestigious Parisian workshop of the late 19th century. To a great extent they took on the mantle of JB Vuillaume, adopting similar working practices, employing excellent makers and also producing beautiful bows. More details
Emile Auguste Ouchard Viola Bow, New York circa 1950
£19,000
Emile Auguste Ouchard is one of the most highly valued bow makers of the 20th century. His style is individual and very precise, and the playing qualities of his bows are rarely surpassed. Many professionals use an EA Ouchard. This fine viola bow from his New York period is a very good example, powerful yet responsive and with a huge sound. More details
Pierre Simon Cello Bow, Paris circa 1860
£60,000
Pierre Simon is one of the great bowmakers of the mid 19th century, closely associated with Dominique Peccatte and Joseph Henry, but working in his own distinctive manner. Simon bows engender a quite fanatical devotion on the part of their owners – their combination of robustness and agility is unique.
This bow is a composite – all by Simon, but the mounts from another bow. There are some signs of use but generally the bow is in excellent condition. More details
Joseph Alfred Lamy Cello Bow, Paris circa 1890
£25,000
Joseph Alfred Lamy (or Lamy Père) stands slightly in the shadow of his teacher and mentor FN Voirin, but his work oozes elegance and finesse. Lamy’s cello bows are particularly fine, with the most beautiful elongated head shape. This is a lovely example in fine condition – deep red round section pernambuco stick, silver and ebony mounts with a plain eye and 3-part adjuster. More details
Hermann Prell Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1910
£8,000
Hermann Prell was a superb Markneukirchen maker who apprenticed with Nürnberger and then famously worked as a journeyman for Sartory. Here we have a beautiful gold-mounted bow of his in excellent condition. More details
James Tubbs Viola Bow, London circa 1890
£15,000
A James Tubbs viola bow is a rare thing – this example is from Tubbs’ middle period and completely typical. It’s a Rolls Royce of a bow, big, opulent and brimming with confidence. It has some signs of use but there are no cracks or damages. More details
Alessandro Carlesso Cello Bow, Brazil 2013
£1,200
Alessandro Carlesso makes superb bows from Brazilian pernambuco – his work is very fine and the wood is outstanding. This bow has a round stick of very dark wood and is silver mounted with an ornamental adjuster.
A very dense stick, giving a lot of power for the weight – not brand new but with minimal wear. More details
James Tubbs Violin Bow, London circa 1890
£12,000
Sometimes I think we should open up a shop just to sell Tubbs bows – we seem to be selling more and more, and it’s great to see this unique maker taking his rightful place. Here we have a very good and typical middle period example in great condition. More details
Auguste Barbé Violin Bow, Paris circa 1890
£10,000
Auguste Barbé worked exclusively for Gand & Bernardel and for this reason is not nearly as well known as he should be. However, his bows are sublte and almost indistinguishable from those of his close colleague FN Voirin. Here we have a lightweight example in top condition. More details
FN Voirin Cello Bow, Paris circa 1880
£25,000
FN Voirin is the most highly regarded maker of the late 19th century – his work is particularly admired for its precision and beauty. In spite of their lightness his bows are much in demand for their luminous tone. Here we have a lovely lightweight cello bow, very strong for its weight and in excellent condition. More details
Charles JB Collin-Mézin Violin, Paris 1887
£13,500
Collin-Mézin is one of the best known names in the violin trade. 19th century instruments made by CH JB Collin-Mézin offer great tone and great workmanship at an affordable price. More details
François Lotte Viola Bow, Mirecourt circa 1935
£5,000
This is a very handy viola bow made by François Lotte for Collin-Mézin, and bearing their brand. An all-round great player, and in excellent condition – however, the adjuster is nickel and not original to the stick. More details
FN Voirin Violin Bow, Paris circa 1880
£4,500
FN Voirin is close to the top of anyone’s list of makers. Here we are offering 4/5ths of a Voirin, since the upper fifth of the bow is a splice. However, the work is beautiful and the bow still has the special Voirin feeling. More details
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