Martin Swan Violins EA Ouchard is probably the greatest of 20th century French makers, and this is a lovely example in silver. Made for Georges Coné in Lyon, it’s in excellent condition and a spectacular player as you’d expect from this maker.
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Another great bow by Marie Louis Piernot, an early 20th century maker whose star is on the rise. First class workmanship, good condition and a big earthy sound.
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This is a very nice WE Hill & Son bow bearing a maker’s mark for Edgar Bishop – an attractive model in excellent condition, and a strong stick with a big sound.
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This is a gold mounted Franz Albert Nürnberger in very good condition – it’s a strong and powerful bow with a huge sound.
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This is a very fine FN Voirin stick with replacement frog and button. Voirin bows are renowned for their luminous sound, and this is a great example at an affordable price.
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August Rau (1866-1951) is an important maker in the history of German bows. This is a very nice example of his higher quality of bow – the condition is very good, and the sound is big, warm and fruity.
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This is an exceptional Dominique Peccatte viola bow in near mint condition – no wear whatsoever, all the silver is original, as is the ivory face. A very handsome example for a collector or a soloist.
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This is another great bow from the Nürnberger workshop, probably Franz Albert circa 1925 – made on quite an unusual model with a very refined head and distinctive adjuster. It’s a strong and full-sounding bow with some minor condition issues.
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This is an outstanding Hill bow from the 1950s in chased gold and tortoiseshell – it’s in mint condition and it plays like a dream.
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Victor Fétique was a prolific and very successful maker whose best bows are on the same level as Sartory. This exceptional example is in near mint condition – the sound is full and brilliant.
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Claude Thomassin is a maker whose star is rising rapidly, and we are always delighted to offer his bows. Here we have a fine viola bow in excellent condition – it’s a powerful stick with a powerful sound.
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This is a near mint violin bow by Claude Thomassin, still one of the most under-rated of 20th century makers. It’s a highly collectable example but also a great bow for a musician.
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We have a number of Franz Albert Nürnberger bows at the moment, each one better than the other. This example from the early 1900s is in top condition and has a brilliant solistic quality.
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Another splendid cello bow by Thomas Tubbs, made for Simon Andrew Forster – beautifully preserved and retaining all its original “goldfish” pearl.
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This is a great early James Tubbs violin bow made for WE Hill whose brand it bears. It’s in excellent condition, the stick is strong and the sound is 100% Tubbs!
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Jean Joseph Martin was one of the extraordinary team of makers assembled by JB Vuillaume, and his bows very often follow the Vuillaume model. This is a more personal creation with a distinctive head – very unusually it bears an authentic Dominique Peccatte brand. The bow is in near perfect condition.
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This is a very nice Vuillaume model bow made by JJ Martin around 1885. Branded “J. Guarini”, it’s a very fine example of this maker’s work – it has a powerful stick with a big bright sound.
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Eugène Sartory enjoys an unrivalled popularity amongst musicians. Here we have an outstanding bow from his best period – it’s in mint condition and plays like a dream.
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Branded WE H&S, this remarkable bow was made by William R. Retford around 1930. A very responsive player of an ideal weight, in a fine state of preservation, this bow comes from the private collection of one of the most respected experts in Hill bows.
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This is a particularly beautiful Pajeot violin bow from the maker’s best period – it’s in excellent condition, original in all parts, and it plays with a rare combination of strength and finesse.
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Dating from around 1920, this is a superior grade of Mirecourt trade violin probably from the Laberte workshops. It’s in excellent condition with no repairs – the sound is sophisticated and well balanced.
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This is a lovely del Gesu copy by Paul Bisch – it’s in perfect condition and the sound is big, bright and beautifully smooth.
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This is a lovely example of Hesketh’s del Gesu model – it’s in perfect condition and the sound is sublime.
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It’s questionable how many violins John Betts himself made, but he employed an illustrious group of makers such as Tobin, Vincenzo and Joseph Panormo, both Bernard Simon Fendts and John Furber, along with other less well known names. Betts instruments tend to exhibit very high standards of craftsmanship and tone.
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Camilli Camilli (1703-1754) is an important maker from Mantua – this is a lovely example of his work with a sweet and crystalline sound.
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Ferdinand Gagliano (1738-1804) was the son of Nicolo and nephew of Gennaro. His violins have always been appreciated for their excellent tonal qualities – this example has exceptional clarity and projection.
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Giovanni Grancino is the most respected maker of the Milanese school. This example is built on a grand Amati pattern, and it’s a first class concert instrument.
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This is a very fine Eury stick with beautiful copy mounts by Simon Guillaume. The condition of the stick is exemplary, and the bow draws a massive sound.
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This is a fine example of the work of Johann Wilhelm Knopf in near mint condition – a real collector’s piece and an exciting player too.
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Hill bows have a well deserved reputation amongst professional players – here we have a nice “HILL” stamped cello bow from 1932.
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This is a beautiful example of the work of Thomas Tubbs, and one of the best early 19th century English cello bows you could hope to find.
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In our opinion Joseph Arthur Vigneron is one of the best makers of the late 19th century and his bows always seem to work. This is a lovely example in great condition, unusually refined and responsive.
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Jean Joseph Martin is one of the select group of makers who worked for the Vuillaume shop (1858-1863). His work is very individual, and this is an unusually well preserved viola bow of his from around 1870.
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Here is another fine bow by Joseph Henry, perhaps our favourite maker. It’s a strong yet supple stick that produces a massive sound – some wear to the handle but otherwise in excellent condition.
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Nephew to Dominique Peccatte and son of François, Charles Peccatte was one of the select group of makers who served time in the Vuillaume shop. Here we have a very fine example of his later style, a great playing bow in an excellent state of preservation.
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This is an exceptional cello bow by Louis Gillet in near mint condition. It has an octagonal section stick of mid-brown pernambuco with a vivid random figure – mounts of silver and ebony.
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Another great cello bow from one of the less well known Vuillaume makers, Jean “Grand” Adam. A very attractive bow showing hardly any signs of use over its 150 year life, it makes quite an impression.
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This viola is one of the finest examples of the work of Charles Brugère in existence. The condition is near mint and the sound is warm and responsive.
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An excellent Mirecourt violin with a fine tone, rather better than your average Collin-Mézin! Lovely size and in near perfect condition.
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Here’s another lovely Salsedo violin from 1928, slightly bigger and bolder than the other example we have. The main difference is that it’s red not yellow…
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This is a good Mirecourt violin made in the Couesnon Workshops around 1900-1910. It’s in excellent condition, very attractive in sound and in looks.
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Charles Nicolas Bazin is a great maker whose work is still highly undervalued. This is a lovely cello bow in excellent condition, the property of a professional orchestral player.
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Eugenio Degani is one of the most recognizable of modern Italian makers. His violins are always refined and stylish. Here we have a wonderful sounding example in perfect condition.
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We sell antique violins suitable for students through a network of violin teachers around the world – from Latvia to Los Angeles. If you are a teacher and would like to work with us please get in touch.
We sell antique violin bows suitable for students through a network of violin teachers around the world – from Latvia to Los Angeles. If you are a teacher and would like to work with us please get in touch.
This is a great violin from the Hill workshop – dating from 1904, it’s in a fine state of preservation and it has a concert sound.
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A fine late 19th century Italian violin by the Neapolitan maker Raffaele Calace. Excellent condition and a warm and seductive voice.
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This is an interesting and finely made German bow sold by Chanot of London towards the end of the 19th century. Excellent condition and a bright, nervy stick.
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Here we have an early Claude Thomassin made during his time at Gand & Bernardel – another exceptional bow from this highly individual maker.
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Nicolas Maire is a highly respected Mirecourt maker closely associated with Pajeot, but who made the all-important journey to Paris. His style evolved significantly during his working life – this mid-period stick is in immaculate condition and has superb copy mounts by Derek Wilson.
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“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.
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This is a great Gillet viola bow in an outstanding state of preservation – it’s a phenomenal player too, strong but very responsive.
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This is a lovely bow by Joseph Arthur Vigneron, one of the outstanding makers of the late 19th century. The wood is spectacular, the condition is excellent, and it’s a great playing stick…
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An unusually fine Hill violin bow from the early 1930s, this silver and tortoiseshell example is in mint condition and plays wonderfully.
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Louis Bazin was a third generation bow-maker of consummate skill whose work is still undervalued simply because he worked in Mirecourt and not Paris. This bow is a mighty player and in top condition.
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Louis Morizot (Morizot Père) is one of my favourite makers, and here we have a beautiful and collectable bow of his in original condition – a spectacularly good player too.
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This is a beautifully preserved Claude Thomassin made for Paul Jombar – it has a big buttery sound and it’s a real eye-catcher.
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Here’s another great Jules Fétique, also made for Caressa & Francais – a very strong, lively player in exemplary condition.
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This is a great playing bow by one of the foremost makers of the Peccatte School, Pierre Simon. Some signs of use but in very good condition overall.
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This is a fine and beautifully preserved violin bow by Marcel Fétique – it’s in top condition and it produces a big sound.
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Emanuel Adam Homolka was the most talented maker to emerge from the Strnad workshop in Prague. His violins are rightly valued for their artistry and their tonal qualities. This is a lovely example with a unique silvery timbre.
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The Nürnberger dynasty produced excellent bows for nearly two centuries. This is a beautiful and rather unusual model from the early 20th century in an exceptional state of preservation.
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Another excellent bow by Marcel Lapierre, a rather under-rated mid-20th century maker – this example has particularly attractive wood, it’s in great condition, and it plays very well indeed.
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We are on something of a journey with Persoit, and this is the third bow of his we have offered this year. This one is a very interesting example of his early work. It’s unusually well preserved, and predictably enough it’s a fabulous player.
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Georges Apparut ran a very successful workshop in MIrecourt between around 1927 and 1948. This violin is from his student range, yet it’s a very fine instrument with a sophisticated tone.
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Riccardo Genovese was the principal student of Annibale Fagnola, but his work is softer and the sound always more successful. This is a fine example in great condition with a powerful and very even sound.
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This is a very attractive viola bow by Marcel Lapierre. Branded twice and dated 1960 under the frog, it’s in excellent condition – it’s also a remarkable player for its price.
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Yet one more excellent Hill bow, this time a fine early gold and tortoiseshell example with a stick by WIlliam Johnston, the frog bearing marks for Bultitude. Some wear to the stick but generally in very fine condition, and a lovely golden tone.
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Louis Gillet is best known as the maker of many late Sartory bows, but he was a formidable maker in his own right. This is an unusually attactive example – a very well balanced stick in top condition.
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This is a very fine violin bow by Charles Claude Husson, one of the last makers to join the Vuillaume workshop. It’s in excellent condition and an outstanding player with a bright, open sound.
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Hippolyte Camille Lamy is one of the most precise and gifted makers of the early 20th century – here we have an exceptional gold and ivory viola bow in mint condition.
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A beautifully preserved cello bow in silver and tortoiseshell by one of the early Hill makers, Sydney Yeoman.
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Here we have a near-mint Carl Albert Nürnberger, a splendid, austere looking bow with a big fruity sound.
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Fornaciari Jr. bows are made in Brazil and are very popular in the US. There’s a wide range of models – this bow is at the top of the range, made with excellent pernambuco and with full silver mounts.
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Another good Hill violin bow, this time the work of Sydney Yeoman – very well preserved, and a strong, smooth player.
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This is an exceptional Pierre Simon stick made for Vuillaume, with later copy mounts. The stick is in near-mint condition and the playability is all you would expect from one of the greatest makers of the 19th century.
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This is a very fine Joseph Henry in excellent condition. I have a particular soft spot for Henry, and this bow doesn’t disappoint in looks or in playability. It’s a top level bow for a serious professional.
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Here we have a very attractive middle period James Tubbs violin bow, engraved DM/MD to the ferrule. Exceptional flamed pernambuco, a strong yet supple stick, and a gorgeous sound.
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FW Chanot belongs to a distinguished line of violin-makers and experts. This violin is a beautifully preserved del Gesu copy with a powerful and supremely well balanced tone.
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Jacques Pierre Thibout is considered to be one of the best Parisian makers of the early 19th century. We have two violins of his at the moment, this one very much a player’s instrument with some minor restoration and a big bold sound.
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This is an exceptional example of the work of Julius Hubička, a highly productive but maddeningly inconsistent maker of the early 20th century. This particular violin ticks all the boxes – great sound, great condition, great price.
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Louis Gillet is best known for his collaboration with Eugène Sartory,. Here we have a very fine Sartory inspired viola bow in excellent condition, and with playing qualities very similar to a good Sartory.
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This is a rare and very pretty violin by the 18th century Dutch maker Jacques LeFebvre – it’s a superb sounding instrument in good restored condition.
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Another great Fétique bow, this one gold-mounted – a heavy but lively bow for a power player, and in very good condition.
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This is a remarkable small viola by Giuseppe Rocca in a very pure state of preservation, and with a tonal quality that’s quite astounding for the size.
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Made by Alberto Guerra, this is an excellent yet affordable modern Italian viola of good proportions with a warm, fruity sound. It has a slightly “lived-in” appearance but is free from any condition issues.
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This is a beautifully preserved early Hill bow, the work of William Napier according to the late Bill Watson. Well balanced, a great weight, and a clear full tone.
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This is an exceptional cello bow by Joseph Henry, one of the greatest of 19th century makers.
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This is a lovely violin from the late 19th century bearing an authentic Silvestre label, but most likely a bought-in Mirecourt instrument. It has a terrific sound, and it would be ideal for a talented young player.
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Marcel Lapierre is a highly under-rated French maker, and his bows represent exceptional value for money. This is a well preserved example with great playing qualities.
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This is a very fine example of the work of Marie Louis Piernot, one of the more under-rated of early 20th century makers. The bow is in excellent condition and draws a mighty sound.
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This is a very fine example of the work of Nicolas Maline. A strong bow with a powerful soloist sound, and in excellent condition.
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Here is another “collaboration” bow, made in the workshop of EF Ouchard but showing 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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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.
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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.
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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.
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This is a fine gold mounted Hill bow from 1957, the stick made by Arthur Copley. It’s in excellent condition and its playing qualities are quintessentially Hill – unpretentious and utterly reliable!
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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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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Arthur Bultitude is a highly respected English maker who spent much of his working life at Hills. On leaving the Hill shop he specialised in exquisite bows with ornamental frogs such as this lovely viola bow.
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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.
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This is a classic 1930s Nürnberger bow in mint condition, and a very solid player drawing a big tone.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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This is a lovely Mittenwald “Verleger” violin in outstanding condition, with a bright zingy sound that’s full of character.
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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.
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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.
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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 subtle and almost indistinguishable from those of his close colleague FN Voirin. Here we have a lightweight example in top condition.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Another lovely cello bow by one of the more reliable 20th century makers. This example is very strong – the condition is excellent apart from a chip in the end of the stick by the adjuster and a bit of repairwork to the back plate.
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Emile F Ouchard is a highly underestimated maker, – here we have a great viola bow with the playing qualities so typical of this make – a strong yet very articulate stick, and a broad but focused sound. This is a well used bow with a slight dent behind the head on the audience side, otherwise in excellent condition.
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This is a fine early period James Tubbs, made for Hills and bearing their brand on both sides of the handle. Unusually light in colour for a Tubbs – some minor condition issues but otherwise a stunning bow from this great if erratic maker.
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Jean-François Aldric is one of the great names in French making, of the same generation as Lupot and Pique. In his later years he made superb Stradivari copies modelled on originals which he obtained from Luigi Tarisio, and our violin is one of these – a very faithful Strad copy displaying exquisite workmanship, with a real concert sound.
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The Albani family played a huge role in the development of violin-making, and yet their instruments are rarely seen. This violin is a very interesting example, following very closely on the work of Matthias but made by his son Michael. Always more successful tonally than Stainer (the other Tyrolean), this violin is no exception.
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Angelo Soliani violins are quite rare, and they are highly prized for their quality of tone. He seems to have been heavily influenced by Guadagnini, and the arching and varnish are very similar. This example is far from pristine, but it’s a great sounding instrument in good restored condition.
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This is a top of the range Hill viola bow in gold and ivory dating from 1937 – it’s in great condition and it plays beautifully.
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Jean (Grand) Adam is the best known and most highly valued of the Adam makers. He worked in the prestigious Vuillaume shop, but his bows are most often compared to those of FX Tourte.
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This is an unusually fine gold and ebony mounted bow from the Nürnberger shop, probably the work of Philipp Paul Nürnberger. It’s a beautiful example of the higher-end production of this workshop.
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Paul Weidhaas is one of the most respected of early 20th century German bow-makers. Here we have a fine cello bow made in the French style, and in unusually pristine condition.
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A good cello bow from the Bausch workshop, dating from the early 1900s.
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Etienne Pajeot is one of the great early French makers, and his bows are highly sought after for their excellent technical qualities. This is a relatively rare early cello bow in good condition.
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Charles Maucotel was the first of the Parisian makers to come to London. A tremendous yet relatively unknown maker, here we have a beautiful del Gesu copy of his in excellent condition, and with a first class sound.
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There are few professional players who don’t have a Hill in their case. The firm’s reputation for quality and reliability is well deserved, and the bows carrying the WE Hill & Sons brand are always in demand.
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Louis Morizot’s main claim to fame is his association with Sartory, yet he’s a great maker in his own right. Under his sons, the family name became rather associated with mass production and clunky student bows, but at the time this bow was made, a Morizot was a thing of great refinement and beauty.
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Joseph Calot is a fascinating figure in the history of violin-making. He is best known as a Turin maker for his association/collaboration with Pressenda, but he was also an apprentice in the workshop of Nicholas Lupot, and our violin is a bold variation on Lupot’s Paris style. This is a perfectly preserved example of Calot’s Parisian work, showing exceptional ability.
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Dominique Peccatte is widely regarded as the greatest bow-maker of all time – his bows show unusual flair and workmanship, and they are unsurpassed in technical quality.
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Tourte is without question the most prestigious name in the history of bow-making. While FX Tourte was largely responsible for the design of bow that we recognize today, his older brother NL or “Tourte l’Ainé” was equally revolutionary.
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The workshops of Marc Laberte produced a huge range of instruments and bows in the early 20th century – their silver-mounted bows are of consistently high quality.
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Our Hardanger fiddle is a simplified version of a traditional Hardanger, made with a violin scroll and without ornamentation. The body is copied directly from an award-winning instrument by Sveinung Gyovland. This historic instrument had excellent tone and sustain, so we followed the outline, arching and thicknesses faithfully. The result is an affordable Hardanger with a completely authentic sound.
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Nicolas Maline is an important figure from the Golden period of French bow-making. Although he worked for Vuillaume, he appears to have spent his entire working life in Mirecourt – his work is unique and distinctive, and of the highest quality.
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