Fine Violin Bows £10K to £20K
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
Claude Thomassin Violin Bow, Paris circa 1910
£12,000
Claude Thomassin is in my opinion one of the finest French makers of the turn of the century, and this is a superb example of his work in excellent condition. More details
Carl Heinrich Knopf Violin Bow, Berlin circa 1870
Recently sold
The Knopf family produced some of the finest bows of the 19th century, and Carl Heinrich’s work is particularly prized. This is a very good example with a certificate from Isaac Salchow. More details
Victor Fétique Violin Bow, Paris circa 1925
£12,500
Victor Fétique set up his workshop in 1913, and ran a busy and successful business for the next 20 years. Although much of the work was carried out by apprentices or outworkers, his own bows such as this one are amongst the best bows of the early 20th century. 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 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
James Tubbs/WE Hill Violin Bow, London circa 1870
£16,500
A good Tubbs is a thing of wonder, and this one is exceptional. Made for WE Hill and branded to the stick and the frog, this is very fine work from Tubbs’ early period. 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
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
James Tubbs Violin Bow, London circa 1885
Recently sold
James Tubbs is a delightfully inconsistent maker. The floppy bows he made for the “Maids of Mayfair” are best consigned to the dustbin, but his best sticks would bear comparison with the finest French bows ever made. This is an outstanding gold-mounted example from his most sought-after period, in near-mint condition. The wood is exceptional, the engraved ferrule is a treat, and the playing qualities are unbeatable. 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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