Bows for violins, violas and cellos

We try to maintain a varied and regular supply of bows, starting from around £100 to examples by some of the World's greatest makers.

Violin Bows

Collection of bows 01
  1. A very fine French violin bow by JOSEPH ALFRED LAMY [pere] of Paris made circa 1915. The round pernumbuco stick bearing the maker's stamp is mounted with an ebony frog in silver. In a perfect state. [certificate of J. F. RAFFIN of Paris]. Price on application.
  2. A very fine French violin bow made by VICTOR FETIQUE (almost certainly in collaboration with Jules Fetique), Paris circa 1929. This outstanding bow is in a good condition with a strong round stick, ebony frog mounted in silver, with Paris eye. Weight: 60 grams. £4,500.
  3. A fine French violin bow made by a follower of PAJEOT and which is in an almost mint condition. The pernumbuco stick is of great strength and the ebony frog mounted in silver in the Pajeot style. £4,500.
  4. A fine French violin bow made by EMILE OUCHARD [pere] of Paris, branded 'F.Magnie'. The round stick mounted in ebony and silver. Made circa 1935 it is in a near perfect condition. £3,200.
  5. A fine French violin bow made by PIERRE MALINE of Paris circa 1920. The fine round stick is mounted in silver and in a mint condition. [certificate of J.F. RAFFIN of Paris]. £3,000.
  6. A fine English bow made by W. E. HILL & SONS stamped W.E.H.S. on shaft. Mint condition. £3,000.
  7. A fine English bow made by W. E. HILL & SONS stamped W.E.H.S. on shaft. Made by BISHOP and in mint condition. £3,000.
  8. A very good French violin stamped F.N.VOIRIN on the shaft. Made circa 1930, it is in a mint condition, with the fine round stick mounted in silver. £2,800.
  9. A very good French violin bow made by LOUIS MORIZOT of Paris, bearing the maker's stamp on the shaft. A fine round stick with ebony frog mounted in silver. Perfect state. £2,800.
  10. A fine and rare German violin bow made by PAUL MOHR [stamped Pierre Maure on shaft] made circa 1950 being a copy of a Pecatte. In a perfect state. £2,600.
  11. A fine French violin bow made by FRANCOIS LOTTE at Paris circa 1925, bearing the maker's stamp on the shaft. The round stick of excellent pernumbuco wood is mounted with an ebony frog and German silver. The bow is in a mint condition. £2,600.
  12. A good French violin bow made in the workshops of MORIZOT fréres, stamped V. ARNOLD á Paris. Silver mounted with silver slide and in a mint condition. £2,500.
  13. An English violin bow made by W. E. HILL & SONS circa 1940, stamped H & S on shaft. Silver mounted and in a mint condition. £2,500.
  14. A good German violin bow made by AUGUST EDWIN PRAGER circa 1920, stamped on the shaft together with B&S [imported by Beare & Sons]. The round stick mounted with ebony frog and silver. In a mint condition. £1,800.
  15. A fine silver mounted French violin bow made circa 1970, stamped NICHOLAS DELAUNE. Mint condition. £2,500.
  16. A French violin bow made in the BAZIN workshops, stamped CARRODUS on the shaft. Silver mounted in mint condition, made circa 1920. £1,500.
  17. A German violin bow, silver mounted made circa 1890. Stamped DODD on shaft made in the Bausch workshops. £1,000.
  18. A good German violin bow made c.1890 being in a perfect, original state. The round pernumbuco stick mounted with ebony frog and German silver. £650.
  19. A German violin bow made circa 1920 with Brazil wood stick and mounted with ebony frog in German silver. In a mint condition. £120.

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James Tubbs bows

James Tubbs at work

JAMES TUBBS (1835-1921)

There were five generations of bow makers in the Tubbs family. James Tubbs was the greatest member of that family and earned for himself the acolade of being Britain's finest ever bow maker.

His work is consistantly fine and his choice of materials of the highest quality, in particular the superb pernumbuco wood which he used for his sticks.

We are very pleased therefore, to offer musicians or collectors, three silver mounted violin bows by James, representing his finest work. Each one dates from circa 1890 and all are in a mint condition. Although the sticks are remarkably strong, they are complemented by a fine balance and that superb flexibility which allows the player to produce all the varied forms of bowing and sound production.

Prices

  1. Plain looking ebony frog. £6,800
James Tubbs bow 1 frog / grip James Tubbs bow 1 tip
  1. Ebony frog with circle mother of pearl. £6,500 each.
James Tubbs bow 2 frog frog / grip James Tubbs bow 2 tip
James Tubbs bow 3 frog / grip James Tubbs bow 3 tip

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The Bows of Howard Green

Howard Green is a bow maker with the highest, international reputation. His bows are used by some of the World's finest players. Despite increasing demand, Howard Green never compromises his standards. Every bow he produces is a unique, flawless example.

Blackburn Stringed Instruments is honoured to represent Howard Green as his main UK agent.

Howard Green bow

See the Howard Green website for the quality of his work and the many fine testimonials from players.

We offer the following Howard Green bows.

  1. CELLO BOW. A truly beautiful bow made from the finest pernumbuco wood. The ebony fog is mounted in gold with Paris eye of gold. £3,000
  2. VIOLA BOWS. Two examples available both sticks of the finest pernumbuco wood. The ebony frogs have pearl eyes and mounted in silver. £1,900 each.
  3. VIOLIN BOWS. Two superb examples with ebony frog mounted in gold and pearl eye. They possess French-style lapping of gold and red. £2,700 each.
  4. VIOLIN BOWS. Two examples the same. Fine sticks with ebony frogs and pearl eyes mounted in silver. £1,900 each.

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Modern hand made violin pernumbuco bows in silver

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We supply a large stock of modern bows, all hand made and emanating from the finest workshops. These are ideal for the advancing younger player, but many are owned by good amateur players and even professionals.

  1. MARCO RAPOSO WORKSHOP is situated in Brazil and produces fantastic bows. Violin and viola bows of the finest pernumbuco wood and mounted in silver are available up to £800. Cello bows up to £900.
  2. CHEN WORKSHOP from China is offering items made by some great makers under the watchful eye of Mr. Chen. Violin and viola bows of finest pernumbuco and mounted in silver are available up to £800.
  3. CHINESE WORKSHOP. We can offer some beautifully made violin, viola and cello bows all mounted in silver and copies of the great masters like Maline, Pecatte and Tubbs. Available from £400 to £750.
  4. CHINESE WORKSHOP. Bows of fine pernumbuco wood and mounted silver. These are excellent and priced from £200 to £360.
  5. CHINESE WORKSHOP. Bows of fine pernumbuco wood but mounted in German [nickel] silver, therefore cheaper. The sticks however, are extremely well made and often equal to those mounted in silver. Prices are from £140 to £200.

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The 'Col Legno' carbon fibre bow

These sell like hot cakes! They are highly regarded by students and professional players alike. They do not warp and are virtually impossible to break.

We can offer these for violin, viola and cello and ½ & ¾ violin. The prices? Outstanding value: