Fine Violin Bows £10K to £20K
James Tubbs Violin Bow, London circa 1900
Recently sold
When Tubbs bows are good they’re really good! This is a super late period example – quite light but stiff and nervy, drawing a very fine tone. More details
EF&EA Ouchard Violin Bow, Mirecourt circa 1930
£11,000
This is a very fine bow from the EF Ouchard workshop, showing the hand of his supremely talented son EA Ouchard, and branded “Villaume Freres” (a dealership in Nancy). A very strong yet nimble stick, and in great condition barring a few minor scratches More details
Louis Gillet Violin Bow for Lavest, circa 1935
£11,000
Louis Henri Gillet is best known as the maker of many late Sartory bows, but he was a formidable maker in his own right before this collaboration. This bow makes the point perfectly – very elegant work and an almost perfect playing bow. More details
Jean Joseph Martin Violin Bow, Paris circa 1870
£12,000
Jean 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. More details
James Tubbs/WE Hill Violin Bow, London circa 1880
£12,000
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. More details
James Tubbs Violin Bow, London circa 1885
£12,000
We are serious fans of James Tubbs, and we sell more bows by him than by any other maker. This is a very typical example of his middle period work, with the rounded ferrule, long adjuster and silver face that are his hallmarks. Some wear to the handle and the thumb projection, in good condition overall and an excellent player. More details
Victor Fétique Violin Bow, Paris circa 1920
£13,500
Victor Fétique was an extremely productive maker – the first half of his working life was spent in the employ of CN Bazin and Caressa & Francais, subsequently he ran a busy workshop in his own name, and in 1925 received the honour of “Premier Archetier de France”. More details
James Tubbs Violin Bow, London circa 1895
£13,500
This is a classic middle period Tubbs bow in excellent condition. The pernambuco has a dramatic flame and the pearl eye is unusually bold – very appealing to look at and a great player too. More details
James Tubbs Violin Bow, London circa 1870
£15,000
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. More details
James Tubbs Violin Bow, London circa 1890
Recently sold
No-one would pretend that James Tubbs was a consistent maker, but his best bows are amongst the finest bows ever made. And this rare unmodernised example is unusually good… More details
Claude Thomassin Violin Bow, Paris circa 1905
£15,000
Claude Thomassin was a very prolific maker whose bows are as much admired for their playing qualities as for their elegance. This is a lovely example, strong yet refined, and in excellent condition. More details
Hippolyte Camille Lamy Violin Bow, Paris circa 1920
£16,000
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. More details
Emile Auguste Ouchard Violin Bow, Mirecourt circa 1925
£16,000
Emile Auguste Ouchard is perhaps the only 20th century French maker to rival Sartory in his appeal to musicians. His bows show a rare understanding of the needs of players, and they are highly appreciated. More details
Georges Léon Lamy Violin Bow circa 1905
£17,500
Around the turn of the 20th century there was no shortage of great bow-makers in Paris, but Lamy has always been a special name for me. I love the refinement of these bows and their extraordinary sound. They tend not to suit orchestral sluggers, but they have always been popular with players who value expression and nuance. More details
Joseph Arthur Vigneron Violin Bow, Paris circa 1895
£18,000
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. More details
Nicolas Maline Violin Bow, Paris circa 1865
£18,000
Nicolas Maline, also known confusingly as Guillaume Maline, is quite a maverick figure from the Golden period of French bow-making. Even his dates are disputed, as is the question of whether or not he worked for Vuillaume. However, his work is unique and distinctive, and of the highest quality. More details
Violin Bows for sale under £5k
Great sticks for players on a budget
Violin Bows £5-10k
19th & 20th century bows for advanced students
Violin Bows £10-20k
Professional level bows by highly respected makers
Violin Bows over £20k
Fine bows for soloists and collectors
Scotland, London and Online
Tonal specialist • Worldwide service • Trial periods
