Fine Violin Bows £10K to £20K
Auguste Barbé Violin Bow, Paris circa 1890
£10,000
Auguste Barbé worked exclusively for Gand & Bernardel and for this reason is not nearly as well known as he should be. However, his bows are sublte and almost indistinguishable from those of his close colleague FN Voirin. Here we have a lightweight example in top condition. More details
EF&EA Ouchard Violin Bow, Mirecourt circa 1925
£10,000
Here is another “collaboration” bow, made in the workshop of EF Ouchard but showing the hand of his son EA Ouchard. Made for Lucien Schmidt of Grenoble, this is a very high quality stick with an excellent playing character. Very good condition too.
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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
WE Hill & Son Violin Bow, William Johnston circa 1900
£11,500
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. More details
James Tubbs Violin Bow, London circa 1910
£12,000
This is a lovely late James Tubbs, an unusually strong and responsive stick for this maker, and in top condition. More details
James Tubbs Violin Bow, London circa 1890
£12,000
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. More details
Alfred Tubbs Violin Bow, London circa 1915
£12,000
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. More details
WE Hill & Son Violin Bow, London 1959
£12,000
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! More details
James Tubbs Violin Bow, London circa 1870
£13,000
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 though the adjuster is from another bow of the period. 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
Mars Auguste Husson Violin Bow, Paris circa 1925
£15,000
This is a very fine and rare ivory-mounted bow by Auguste Husson, a Parisian maker of the early 20th century. It’s in excellent condition and is a top class player. 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
Victor Fétique Violin Bow, Paris circa 1920
£16,000
This is an unusually beautiful Victor Fétique in great condition. Made with spectacularly flamed wood, and a great player into the bargain. More details
Jules Fétique Violin Bow, Paris circa 1925
£17,500
This is a fine Jules Fétique violin bow with outstanding playing qualities, dating from around 1925. It’s lovely looking bow in very good condition. More details
JA Vigneron Violin Bow, Paris circa 1895
£17,500
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. 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
Eugène Sartory Violin Bow, Paris circa 1898
Recently sold
This is a very fine Sartory in excellent condition. The stick is almost a centimetre longer than normal, hence the bargain price. Ideal for a taller player! 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
Jean Joseph Martin Violin Bow for JB Vuillaume, Paris circa 1870
£20,000
This is a very nice Vuillaume bow made by JJ Martin around 1870. Built on a typcial Vuillaume model, it’s a very attractive bow with a huge sound. 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
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