Joseph Henry Violin Bow, Paris circa 1860

This is a very fine bow by our favourite maker, Joseph Henry. It’s a powerful bow with a big and rounded sound.

Joseph Henry was a central figure in the Peccatte school – for me he represents the centre point of French bow-making. The austerity and harmony of his creations suggest a quiet, confident and dignified character – we have written about Joseph Henry here.

This is a very typical example of Henry’s work, bold yet unassuming, restrained and tasteful.

The stick is of round section dark red veined pernambuco, mounts are silver and ebony.

The condition is very good, with only some minor rounding to the handle – some curious toolmarks on the stick behind the frog, otherwise very little wear.

I’m a big fan of Henry bows, and this example has exactly the qualities I admire. The tone is warm and full, but without any fuzziness or lack of clarity. There’s a nice sizzle to the top of the note, essential for projection in a hall. Above all, the stick is both stable and flashy – it feels at once nervy and utterly reliable, and it will do whatever you ask with consummate ease.

This is a bow for a serious professional – it will handle any repertoire, the sound is great, and it has a remarkable controlled energy.