EA Ouchard Violin Bow, Mirecourt circa 1935

EA Ouchard violin bows are becoming increasingly popular amongst both musicians and collectors – this is a fine and very typical example from the mid 1930s, a real racehorse of a bow in excellent condition.

It’s no secret that we are big fans of EA Ouchard – he developed a unique style quite early on in his career, sharp and precise but also solid. His sticks have playing qualities which match the construction – robust, surgical, yet still elegant and elevated. He favoured very dense wood, and he kenw what to do with it – his bows are skeletal in appearance but very strong. This aspect of his making reminds me very much of Etienne Pajeot.

This fine example from the mid 1930s is very typical of his work at the time – the stick is round section, orange-brown in colour, very dense and with random figure. The mounts are silver and ebony.

The bow has some minor signs of use – a slight rounding of the handle and some tiny marks to the stick – but it’s been well looked after and the overall condition is excellent.

I love EA Ouchard’s bows but this one is a stand-out – it produces a big pure tone, it’s supremely controllable, and it makes everything easy. Great attack, an effortless legato, and a kind of magical brilliance.

It’s one of those bows in which everything has come together – the rarity of such examples ony serves to illustrate how difficult it must be to make a great bow, and how many variables need to be brought under control.

For me EA Ouchard is the great talent in 20th century bowmaking, and this bow is the perfect illustration.