WE Hill & Son Violin Bow, London circa 1910
This is a remarkable early Hill bow in gold and tortoiseshell made by Sydney Yeoman. It’s in exceptional condition for its age – a highly desirable collector’s item but also a great playing bow.
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Stock Status: Available
James Tubbs Violin Bow, London circa 1880
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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Ferdinand Lantner Violin, Prague 1880
As you probably know, we have something of a soft spot for the Prague makers, and we’re very pleased to have a violin by Ferdinand Lantner, a lesser known but very accomplished maker of the late 19th century. It has a couple of minor repairs but overall it’s an excellent reference example with an outstanding tone.
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FW Chanot Violin, London circa 1890
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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Antonius Pilar Violin, Stará Paka 1944
Antonín Pilaš belonged to one of the great Czech violin-making dynasties, members of which are still active today. This is a very well preserved example of his wartime production – it’s a great sounding instrument with a big bright sound.
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Torleiv Frøysaa Hardanger, Gjøvik 1910
This is a fine Hardanger by the highly respected early 20th century maker Torleiv Frøysaa. It’s a beautiful sounding instrument with 4 sympathetic strings in good playing condition.
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Jacques-Pierre Thibout Violin, Paris 1832
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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Vila Kužel Violin, Brno 1965
This is a very good modern Czech violin by Vilém Kužel. Meticulous craftsmanship on a Guarneri model, fine materials and an excellent sound.
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Julius Hubička Violin, Prague 1943
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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Richard Gruenke Cello Bow, Bubenreuth circa 1980
An exceptional gold-mounted bow in unused condition by one of the most esteemed German makers of the 20th century.
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Louis Gillet Viola Bow, Nancy circa 1940
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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Léon Bernardel Violin Bow, Mirecourt circa 1930
This is a very good silver-mounted Mirecourt bow stamped Leon Bernardel Paris – it’s in excellent condition and plays beautifully.
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Paul Bailly Violin, London 1890
Here we have another excellent Paul Bailly from 1890 – it’s a very responsive instrument in excellent condition, and a great example of this maker’s work.
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JB Lefevbre Violin, Amsterdam 1760
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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Victor Fétique Violin Bow, Paris, circa 1925
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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Giuseppe Rocca Viola, Turin 1858
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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Alberto Guerra Viola, Modena 1957
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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Marino Capicchioni Viola, Rimini 1954
This is a fine Italian viola of ideal proportions made by Marino Capicchioni in 1954 – it’s an unusually attractive example in excellent condition, with a big and bold sound.
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EF Ouchard Cello Bow, Mirecourt circa 1930
This is a very nice cello bow by EF Ouchard, a prolific and undervalued maker. It’s in good condition and plays very well.
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WE Hill & Sons Violin Bow, London circa 1910
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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Paul Bailly Violin, Paris circa 1875
Paul Bailly is definitely the most interesting maker to have come out of the Vuillaume shop, and this is a typically bold creation of his based on del Gesu. It’s in excellent condition and has a full and responsive voice.
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JA Vigneron Cello Bow, Paris circa 1905
Here we have a beautifully preserved cello bow by JA Vigneron, a highly respected maker of the late 19th century.
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Joseph Henry Cello Bow, Paris circa 1865
This is an exceptional cello bow by Joseph Henry, one of the greatest of 19th century makers.
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HC Silvestre Workshop Violin, Paris, circa 1890
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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A Fine Berlin Violin, circa 1920
This is a rather beautiful violin which used to be a Bisiach pretending to be a Guiseppe Rocca! It’s a great example of the early 20th century Berlin copy style with a very fine sound.
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Marcel Lapierre Violin Bow, Mirecourt circa 1950
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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Claude Thomassin Violin Bow, Paris circa 1890
Claude Thomassin was a very talented and highy individual maker. Here we have a nickel mounted example in near mint condition with a typically refined and luminous sound.
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JA Lamy Cello Bow, Paris circa 1890
This is an exceptional gold-mounted Lamy cello bow in near-mint condition.
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Tomáš Hulinzky Violin, Prague 1776
Hulinsky is one of the most interesting Prague makers of the 18th century, and this is a very refined example of his work. Beautiful craftsmanship, great wood, and a first class sound.
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Louis Thomassin Cello Bow, Paris circa 1895
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.
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Marcel Lapierre Viola Bow, Mirecourt circa 1950
This is a particularly nice example of Marcel Lapierre’s work – made with unusually fine wood, and with excellent playing qualities.
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WE Hill & Son Violin Bow, William Johnston circa 1900
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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Joseph Lafleur Violin Bow, Paris circa 1830
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.
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Hermann Prell Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1920
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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WE Hill & Son Violin Bow, London 1959
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!
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WE Hill & Son Violin Bow, London 1957
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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HR Pfretzschner Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1920
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
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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Francois Peccatte Violin Bow, Paris circa 1845
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.
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G B Gaibisso Violin, Alassio 1949
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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Alfred Tubbs Violin Bow, London circa 1915
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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JA Vigneron Violin Bow, Paris circa 1895
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.
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Paolo De Barbieri Violin, Genoa 1946
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.
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Johannes Franciscus Cuypers (II) Violin, Amsterdam circa 1840
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.
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Eugène Sartory Cello Bow, Paris circa 1910 (mounts not original)
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.
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Michael Taylor Viola Bow, Ealing Strings 1989
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.
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A Mittenwald Violin circa 1870
This is a good Mittenwald violin of the Neuner and Hornsteiner type, with a typical deep red varnish that’s slightly craquelled.
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A Mittenwald Small Viola circa 1830
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 Violin Bow, Paris circa 1845
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.
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Rodolfo Fredi Violin, Rome 1927
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.
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Jacques-Pierre Thibout Violin, Paris 1825
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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François Nicolas Voirin Viola Bow, Paris circa 1880
FN Voirin is one of the greatest names in bow-making. Although his bows haven’t become a currency in the way that Sartory bows have, he is generally regarded as the better maker. While his bows are inevitably lighter, they have unparalleled elegance and are renowned for their quality of sound.
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HR Pfretzschner Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1885
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.
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A Mirecourt 7/8 Violin, Poirsons Label, 1914
This is a fine sounding Mirecourt 7/8 violin, ideal for a smaller player, and very affordable.
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Arthur Bultitude Viola Bow circa 1970
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 Violin Bow, London 1939
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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Carl Albert Nürnberger Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1930
This is a classic 1930s Nürnberger bow in mint condition, and a very solid player drawing a big tone.
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Adolf Christian Nürnberger Cello Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1880
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.
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Jerome Thibouville-Lamy Violin, Mirecourt 1905
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.
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Fritz Müller Cello Bow, Bubenreuth circa 1960
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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A French Viola Bow, Mirecourt circa 1920
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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Carl Albert Nürnberger Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1920
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.
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Étienne Pajeot Violin Bow, Mirecourt circa 1825
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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Georges Chanot Violin, Paris circa 1830
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.
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Nicolaus Georg Skomal Violin, Graz 1804
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.
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A Good Mittenwald Violin, circa 1820
This is a lovely Mittenwald “Verleger” violin in outstanding condition, with a bright zingy sound that’s full of character.
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Giovanni & Giuseppe Dollenz Violin, Trieste circa 1855
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.
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Gand & Bernardel Viola, Paris 1888
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.
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Emile Auguste Ouchard Viola Bow, New York circa 1950
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.
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Pierre Simon Cello Bow, Paris circa 1860
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.
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Joseph Alfred Lamy Cello Bow, Paris circa 1890
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.
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Hermann Prell Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1910
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.
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Alessandro Carlesso Cello Bow, Brazil 2013
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.
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James Tubbs Violin Bow, London circa 1890
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.
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FN Voirin Cello Bow, Paris circa 1880
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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Charles JB Collin-Mézin Violin, Paris 1887
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.
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François Lotte Viola Bow, Mirecourt circa 1935
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 Violin Bow, Paris circa 1880
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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Victor Fétique Cello Bow, Paris circa 1930
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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EF Ouchard Viola Bow, Mirecourt circa 1925
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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James Tubbs Violin Bow, London circa 1870
Although unbranded, this early Tubbs bow was most likely made for WE Hill & Son. It has all the strong characteristics of Tubbs’ work at this time – it’s very precisely made using beautiful and heavily flamed pernambuco. The condition is outstanding though the adjuster is from another bow of the period.
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James Tubbs/WE Hill Violin Bow, London circa 1880
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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Joseph Arthur Vigneron Violin Bow, Paris circa 1895
Joseph-Arthur Vigneron is another of the great names in French bow-making. Like so many of the better late 19th century makers he worked for Gand & Bernardel before setting up on his own. He developed his own very successful model, rather more masculine than Voirin or Lamy, always beautifully proportioned.
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Michael Taylor Violin Bow for Ealing Strings, London 1989
Michael Taylor is a great contemporary maker who spent most of his working life at Ealing Strings. Now living and working in Spain, Michael continues to make bows of unusual beauty.
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Hippolyte Camille Lamy Violin Bow, Paris circa 1920
This is a typically elegant bow by HC Lamy (Fils), very close in style to the work of his father Joseph Alfred Lamy, and in excellent condition.
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Jean-François Aldric Violin, Paris 1835
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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Michael Albani Violin, Bolzano circa 1720
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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WE Hill & Son Viola Bow, London circa 1920
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 Cello Bow, Paris circa 1850
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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Nürnberger Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1930
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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WE Hill & Son Violin Bow, London 1959
This is a superb Hill bow in mint condition, date stamped under the frog. It’s an excellent player with a strong yet lively stick.
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Joseph Henry Violin Bow, Paris circa 1860
Joseph Henry is in my opinion the greatest maker of the Peccatte school. This bow has a replacement frog and is quite worn, but it’s an exceptional player.
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Paul Weidhaas Cello Bow for Victor Fétique circa 1930
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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Bausch Cello Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1920
A good cello bow from the Bausch workshop, dating from the early 1900s.
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Etienne Pajeot Cello Bow, Mirecourt circa 1830
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 Violin, London 1851
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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Dominique Peccatte Violin Bow, Paris circa 1840
Dominique Peccatte occupies a unique place in the history of bow-making. While Tourte commands the highest prices, Peccatte brought the bow to a state of modernity which remains the archetype to this day. This is an unusually fine and rare example with an open frog and wood-to-wood mounts, but currently sporting a gold copy frog and button.
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WE Hill & Son Violin Bow, London circa 1935
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 Violin Bow, Mirecourt circa 1925
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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Jan Kulik Violin, Prague circa 1850
Jan Kulik is perhaps the most refined maker of the Prague school. His violins are very individual, artistic and yet precise. This is a fine example with a superb sound, loosely based on a Gragnani and carrying a Gragnani label.
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