Viola Bows
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
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
Garner Wilson Viola Bow, Dingwall circa 2000
£3,000
Garner Wilson was one of the last of the Hill makers, and his work embodies the Hill tradition. Made with precision, well balanced, utterly reliable … More details
Roger François Lotte Viola Bow, Mirecourt circa 1970
£4,500 On trial
This is a lovely bow by Roger Lotte carrying his own later brand. It’s a classic example of his work with a rounded heel, Parisian eye, and a Simon-like backwards curve to the head. The fine red pernambuco is also typical – round in section, with mounts of silver and ebony. The condition is excellent.
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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
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
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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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
Arthur Bultitude Viola Bow circa 1970
£6,000
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. More details
Albert Nürnberger Viola Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1920
£6,500
This is a very fine Nürnberger family viola bow, probably an early work by Carl Albert Nürnberger. The brand with a * at each end came into use after 1910, yet some archaic aspects of this bow’s construction suggest that it can’t be much later than that. The bow has a silver face and a pinned underslide, and it oozes style. The stick is of beautifully flecked round section pernambuco – mounts are silver and ebony.
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EF Ouchard Viola Bow, Mirecourt circa 1925
£10,000
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. More details
WE Hill & Son Viola Bow, London circa 1920
£16,000 Reserved
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. More details
James Tubbs Viola Bow, London circa 1870
Recently sold
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
Victor Fétique Viola Bow, Paris circa 1910
£18,500 On trial
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
Emile Auguste Ouchard Viola Bow, New York circa 1950
£19,000 On trial
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
François Nicolas Voirin Viola Bow, Paris circa 1880
£28,000
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. More details
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