Author Archives: Anna
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
FN Voirin Violin Bow, Paris circa 1885
£75,000
FN Voirin is one of the few truly great makers, and this bow is one of the finest examples in existence, with gold and tortoiseshell mounts and a very rare WE Hill stamp. An exceptional collector’s piece. 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
Joseph Henry Violin Bow, Paris circa 1850
£65,000
This is an unusually fine Joseph Henry in near mint condition – an outstanding bow by an outstanding maker, equally suited to a top level player or a collector. More details
Noel Burke Viola Bow, Carlow, 2018
£7,250
Noel Burke is a highly respected contemporary maker whose bows are used by a number of leading professional players. Here we have a superb gold mounted violin bow with excellent playing qualities in almost new condition. 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
Luigi Galimberti Violin, Milan 1930
£43,500
Luigi Galimberti is a fine Milanese maker of the early 20th century, and this is a beautiful example of his work in near perfect condition. The sound is first class, powerful yet beautiful. 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
£40,000
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 bow from his best period, very well preserved and of an ideal weight. 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
Louis Lowendall Violin, Dresden circa 1900
Recently sold
Every violin shop has to have a Lowendall – like JTL or Collin-Mézin, the name has long been associated with reliability and value for money. This nice Guarneri model Lowendall is in excellent condition and has a big warm and friendly tone. 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
Georges Chanot Violin, Paris circa 1835
Recently sold
Georges Chanot is generally regarded as the finest French violin maker after Nicolas Lupot. He was a renowned conoisseur of Italian violins, and his del Gesu copies are particularly sought after. This is a great example, and the sound is as good as it gets. More details
George Wulme Hudson Violin, London 1909
£23,500
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
Eugène Sartory Violin Bow, Paris circa 1935
£28,000
Sartory is without doubt the most popular maker of bows of any period and from any part of the world. His bows are highly sought after and the price just keeps going up! Here we have a very strong late-period Sartory in excellent condition. 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
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
Otakar F Špidlen Violin, Prague 1927
£11,000
Anyone who looks at this website regularly will know that we are big fans of the Prague makers. The Špidlen family is probably the most important dynasty, spanning four generations. This violin by Otakar Špidlen is a lovely del Gesu copy in near mint 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
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 German Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1930
Recently sold
This is an excellent silver mounted German bow with the playing qualities of a fine Nürnberger. 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
August Rau Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1935
Recently sold
August Rau was a very accomplished German maker who trained with Nürnberger, Knopf and Weichold before becoming independent. This is an example from his later period – it’s a great player in very good condition, but with a replacement adjuster. More details
Luigi Salsedo Violin, 1928
£5,000
“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
Karel Pilar Violin, Hradec Králové 1951
£12,000
This is a very fine mid/20th century violin by one of the great Czech makers, Karel Pilar. It’s a beautiful looking instrument in near mint condition, with a very responsive and engaging concert sound. 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
FN Voirin Viola Bow, Paris circa 1875
£30,000 On trial
FN Voirin is a maker whose influence cannot be underestimated. His precision and artistry have never been superseded, and his bows are the most refined of all the French makers. This viola bow is a beautiful example of his work in excellent condition. 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
Johann Scheverle Viola, Prague circa 1770
£12,000
We have become completely besotted with the Prague makers – their instruments are of the highest level tonally, yet still so undervalued in the marketplace. Scheverle is a rare maker who is believed to have apprenticed with Hellmer – here we have a superb sounding viola of an excellent size. More details
JTL Violin, Mirecourt circa 1895
Recently sold
It’s very hard to beat a good JTL violin, and this is an unusually good one – very attractive, in great condition, and with an excellent sound. More details
Wilhelm Knopf Viola Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1870
Recently sold
This is a composite bow – the stick is by Wilhelm Knopf, the button also Knopf and of the period, the frog later. It represents a great opportunity to get a superb player’s bow at a bargain price. 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 On trial
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
Victor Fétique Viola Bow, Paris circa 1910
£18,500
Victor Fétique bows are a very safe choice – they are beautifully made, they always work, and they have flair! This viola bow is in fantastic condition and the pernambuco has a remarkable flame. The weight and balance are ideal too. 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
Emile Mennesson Violin, Reims 1876
£12,000
Emile Mennesson was a phenomenally successful maker who used the outside mold system to produce very fine violins in large quantities. This is a very good example of his “Guarini” labelled violins, based on the Stradivari Messiah. 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
Collin-Mézin Violin labelled Giacomelli, Mirecourt 1934
Recently sold
Collin-Mézin is pretty much a household name, and their violins are always popular with teachers and students. Here we have a late example with a Giacomelli label, very nicely made, near mint, and with a great sound. 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
Eugène Sartory Violin Bow, Paris circa 1895
£30,000
This is a very fine early Sartory bow in excellent condition from the collection of the renowned Slovenian violinist and pedagogue Igor Ozim. Sartory prices continue to rise at an alarming rate, and well-presered early examples such as this fetch a premium. More details
Hermann Dölling Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1970
Sold
Mounts: silver/ebony
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