Eugene Sartory circa 1940 Gold and Tortoiseshell

Over the forty years I have been selling Sartory bows I have realised it is an error to think of one particular era of his making as his 'best'.   Below is picture of Sartory taken at the time he made this bow.  He is, without doubt, the most important maker from the twentieth century, his output demand high prices.  A soloist friend of mine based in Spain was correct when he asserted 'every violinist should have a Sartory in their case'.

The stick is in lovely condition, a real peach, condition wise, very clean.

Although the stick does not have a certificate from Jean-Francois Raffin, he has researched the bow and asserts Sartory certainly made the stick around 1940, there are subtle hints that suggest this is a war bow.  

    To use it is a delight, works with the player and offers no resistance to the players wishes.   It is not too stiff as some late bows can be, but a total joy.  This bow does have a certificate from the uk’s leading bow maker and expert Michael J. Taylor.   It is an understated Sartory that packs a big punch and a fantastic broad rich sound.   It weighs 58g the same weight as all the best Dominique Peccatte bows.

   It has the most glorious fittings as can be seen, made for this bow by Michael J. Taylor as a special request.     There are probably less than ten original gold and tortoiseshell original bows in existence so here is an opportunity to own an original undamaged Sartory stick with stunning replica fittings by one of the finest restorers currently active. 

    This bow is not stamped under the lapping, in conversation with Bernard Millant on this matter he felt that about 95% of his bows beyond the early 1920’s were stamped here.   But there are correct sticks not stamped here produced by Sartory, here is one.   Everything on this bow points to it being very late, possibly within war conditions, this would account for many small idiosyncratic areas on the stick, also perhaps the onset of old age.   It is, having said that, a glorious bow, any violinist would be overjoyed to own it.

£18,000

James Tubbs Violin bow circa 1908

Here is a very rare and important Violin bow unearthed in rural mid France.    His violin bows are especially treasured by players so here is a rare opportunity for a player to own a bow by him but without the funds normally needed!   Over the years in France it has been played a great deal, the stamp has completely worn away, the sign of a great bow, such use!

The photo shows the lowest quarter of the head sustained some damage at some point, this has been beautifully restored to its former glory.   A first class James Tubbs stick with beautiful replica fittings by the renowned restorer and maker Michael Taylor.

£2,850

   It is interesting to note that this great maker had a following even in the home of bow making, France!    I remember when looking through the late great Bernard Millant’s collection he had a beautiful James Tubbs bow.

  By this time in the 1908 his shop was at 47 Wardour street (the street numbers were later changed to 94).   At this time several high profile players were regular customers, Wilhelmj and Piatti were keen followers of his bows. 

   As soon as I saw this bow, especially the unique way Tubbs carves the throat area below I recognised his hand, more so because recently I sold a very fine Tubbs violin bow and took special care to read his mannerisms on the stick.   Made from fabulous pernambuco it is a really good find for a Violinist  on a budget!

   It was a particular pleasure to sell the fittings from the Tubbs bow owned by Marie Schumann (the daughter of Robert Schumann) several years ago, superb fitting as you can see below.    

Please be aware these are NOT the fittings for this bow, this bow lost its fittings many years ago and now the fabulous Michael Taylor is going to make first class replica fittings exactly to James Tubb’s specifications given his deep knowledge of this great maker.  I am in no doubt it shall be a delight when finished.

Michael J. Taylor Peccatte model circa 1996

Here is the United Kingdom's greatest living bowmaker in action circa 1990 when this bow was produced.

When Michael left Ealing Strings his order book soon filled up as players realised they could buy directly.  When they brought their own Taylor bows for rehairs etc. Michael had two bows he would lend out as they had small imperfections.  To his surprise often players would ask to buy these bows, but they performed an important task and Mike refused to sell them.   Now, through Peter Hembrough Bows these two bows are available at £4,800.   Throughout his making career given that Michael is a world class restorer he has only been able to produce 300 bows, you could become a member of an exclusive club.

This bow is exceptionally beautiful made from fabulous pernambuco from an inspirational period in this great makers working life.   To use it has a fine bright sound and articulation, resembling that of Dominique Peccatte.   Of course having worked on many Peccatte bows Michael has an intimate understanding of his working methods and in time, with use, this bow shall become indistinguishable from this the great French maker.

Francois N. Voirin circa 1875

Here is a delightful, and tremendously rare photograph of Voirin around the time he made this superb Vuillaume style bow.  It is a sensational bow and uniquely  fine to play on.   It is both versatile and comforting to the player, constantly giving the player information about its collaboration with the string.   It is one of the truly great bows by this craftsman.   The blonde Tortoiseshell frog is from the Vuillaume workshop and original to the stick, the same is so for the button.

£52,000

J. J. Martin

Available winter 2020

Cases

Musafia Cases, two new arrivals

Limited edition AETERNUM cases designed especially for Peter Hembrough bows..these cases have the best silk interior possible, a special order, top of the range of this exquisite case.

£1200

I am pleased to be able to offer some beautiful cases from this world-famous company, please e-mail your requirements

Currently I have

• two limited edition cases at £850 and £950 SOLD
• Antique wooden case by W E Hill and Sons, circa 1890 – £700
• A superb Crocodile skin effect case by the English firm of Cheney, circa 1890 – £260 SOLD
• Lifton Alligator double case - SOLD
• Victor Fetique bow case £1,200  sold

SOLD

Nicolas Remy Maire circa 1855

The record price for this maker is $92,850

Nicolas Maire is without doubt one of the greatest bow makers and here is a superb bow weighing 60g from the 1855-1860 era.  By this time Maire has finally moved from Mirecourt to Paris following the death of Etienne Pajeot in 1849, his main employer.  He was well aware of the dominance of Dominique Peccatte  (he recently had returned from Paris to Mirecourt) and he decided to evolve his style slightly to take into account current Parisienne trends. 

 This particular style of Maire is highly sought after as there is a perfect fusion of the best qualities from both makers.  Totally original in all parts it has just a 1/5th chevalle repair to the frog and a very small pernambuco repair just above the face on the back of the head.  Complete with a certificate from Jean-Francois Raffin it is a total joy to use, indeed about as good as a bow can be!

£32,000

Eugene Sartory circa 1905

Here is a beautiful Sartory, stamped twice with original fittings.  The bow has a clavette repair to the head and is further secured by a small binding.  Due to the dark nature of the wonderful Pernambuco it is actually difficult to see the repair, utterly secure it allows the player on a budget to own and enjoy a first class bow by the greatest maker from the last century.   Weighing 61g in a recent recording of Enescu's third sonata it was interesting to hear how this bow out performed against a first class Dominique Peccatte bow.   Easy payment terms can apply to this bow.

£11,000

Jean Pierre Marie Persoit circa 1825 61g

Jean Pierre Marie Persoit born between 29th Sept. 1783 and 28th. Sept 1784 - died 1854.

The bows of this rare and wonderful maker have reached mythical status due to their tremendous playing capabilities.  Persoit, for some years (around 1809-1815) lived on Rue de Prouvaires, one of the most fashionable streets at the time, close to the great Francois Xavier Tourte.   Indeed, given that their shops were but a short walk from one to the other it is inconceivable that they did not know of each other.

This bow, circa 1825 is branded thus twice.  Once under the frog and again under the lapping.  Indeed dating this bow is relatively straightforward as he stopped making octagonal bows around 1830 but only began branding around 1825.

Late to bow making it is speculated that he was involved in the metal working trade as many of his family were either gilders or gold plating specialists.  In early 1826 Persoit began to train a certain Dominique Peccatte, a maker who went on to greatness.                                                                     

Persoit was one of the first great makers to have a working association with J. B. Vuillaume, making a small number of bows for him,  these bows are branded with a small brand that Vuillaume used generally inside his violins.

His bows, along with Jacob Eury are considered by most to be equal to the great maker Francois Xavier Tourte.  Indeed there are far fewer examples of Persoit bows in comparison to Tourte.  Most recently the ex - Leila Josefowitz Persoit sold for £48,000 hammer in auction.   This bow is a remarkable example as can be seen from the pictures.  It has a large repair to the stick lowering the price and  offers a rare opportunity to the serious soloist.£12,000

Joseph Arthur Vigneron pere circa 1895

Lucky indeed is the violinist who plays on a bow by Vigneron pere!  He was a quick worker making on average six bows a week.  That being said many of his bows are somewhat lacking, he viewed the bow as a tool for the artist.

 However, once in a while, using his very best deep red brown pernambuco he would make a top class exquisite bow.  This bow is one of his rare bows engraved on the ferrule for its first owner Edith C homer. 







    He used the same person to engrave is best bows and several can be seen in the Millant L'archet volume two.   Condition wise this bow has a very small repair to the upper stick all but invisible and totally secure.  It is one of the most striking and beautiful bows currently available by this great maker.  The stick is strong but flexible and the bow weights 61g.
   The bow has a certificate from the renowned French bow expert Jean-francois Raffin.



£9,000

F. X. Tourte circa 1795

Here is a very fine bow, it was found in rural France on one of my frequent visits and although it was in a dreadful state of preservation its qualities immediately rang alarm bells of recognition.    

  The bow, has wonderful playing credentials as one would expect from such an era.  

sold 

1670 Francesco Rugeri

Here is the most delightful Cremonese violin by the great Francesco Rugeri.  When you have the opportunity to help people buy instruments of this calibre all you can do is smile!  The table on this violin is of special note given its tremendous patina.  It has a large personality when played and it reminds you of a very fine Italian car in that when you put your foot down on the accelerator there is plenty of power in reserve.

Jean Pierre Marie Persoit circa 1820 57g

  Here is a rare and rather beautiful Persoit complete with a Jean-Francois Raffin certificate dating the bow to 1825.  Having said that Michael J Taylor who restored this bow feels it is a great deal earlier and of the 1810 period, especially given the fact it is octagonal and the original frog being of the open trench type, pictured below.

  Although this bow weighs only 57 grammes it would be a mistake to consider this bow too light, as the balance is superb and weight alone is not the only aspect to consider when choosing a bow.

Condition wise this bow is in very fine condition, the only repair is to the lower 1/3 rd. of the head that was lost at some point over the last one hundred and ninety years.  This has been replaced by Michael J Taylor in the form of an exact replica of an early head.  It also has a replica frog of Persoit's more usual type as the original pictured is not really suited to modern playing.   It could, of course, be put back onto the bow if a baroque specialist required this.

When this bow was made Persoit lived at 41 Rue des Prouvaires, very close to Francois Xavier Tourte.   This is a rare opportunity to own a bow by one of the greatest makers ever to produce a bow, in nearly mint condition.  It is exquisite to use and remarkably versatile.  

£12,000

Joseph Alfred Lamy pere circa 1900

 Here is a first class Lamy pere in nearly mint condition save some small damage towards the head (a small chip three quarters of the way towards the head)

Francois Peccatte workshop

From a playing perspective the large noble head gives the bow a little head bias that Tubbs often used, this creates a bow with a remarkable warm sonorous sound quality.  A strong assertive stick all bow articulations are easily capable.  Circa 1845, made from bois exotique, in common with many other bows made by the Peccatte brothers at this time.  Indeed it is informative to place this head next to a head by Dominique Peccatte as the similarities are very strong.

  Here is an undamaged workshop bow with later french fittings in the style of Dominique Peccatte, what a bold and lovely bow!  The chamfers tell you this is made by a very fine maker indeed given the flair and beauty of execution, so no lowly maker here in evidence!  Judging by correspondence with local government departments Francois Peccatte had some ten to fifteen people he collaborated with in bow making, one being Lafleur, another being a certain Dominique his elder brother.

£1,800

Michael Taylor 2014

Here is a truly lovely bow to play on, with all the swagger of an original Peccatte this replica does it all for you.

On top of that it is tremendously pretty too. I don’t believe for the price this bow can be beaten.
I especially urge people on a limited budget to buy one of these rare bows….you won’t regret it!
Michael Taylor

£4,800

Joseph Henry circa 1855

An undoubted highlight of the collection, this bow is by one of the true masters of bow making. William Retford, the fine bow maker for Hills, said that in his opinion Henry was a superior maker to his workshop colleague Dominique Peccatte.

This bow has qualities most players can only dream of and is suitable for the high quality solo performances. It was made circa 1855 when Henry’s workshop was at 8 rue des Vieux Augustins, five doors away from Vuillaume. The head is incredibly proud and the stick is among the best of his output. In all aspects this is a truly remarkable bow. This bow is identical to several Dominique Peccatte bows I have seen so it can be assumed that when they worked together around this period they heavily influenced each other.
Playing Characteristics

In blind testing this bow has often come out top for playing with customers. It lies on the string beautifully and makes the bow arm feel wonderful. A joy in all areas with no weakness in any department.
Condition

The stick has a small repair in the upper part of the stick (a lift in the stick) although it is very difficult to find! The button is by Henry. The frog could be by another hand (having said that it is correct period and correct in all other detail)and is contemporary to the stick. Despite the repair the stick is in first class condition with minimal wear. This stick is one of the finest, if not the finest Henry left in a fabulous state of preservation. Bows of this quality are very rare and are now commanding extremely high prices on the world market, a rare opportunity this bow should be snapped up since I have not seen one of this quality for sale for over twenty years! Verified by Bernard Millant as dating from Henry’s 1855 era a superb bow from his golden period.

£22,000

Victor Fetique circa 1925

 In 2008 I received a call from a player in one of the uk's leading chamber orchestrs asking to buy a Fetique I had for sale.  It was tremendously damaged but I a meeting with Bernard Millant he stressed what a fine bow it was despite the damage.  It was going to be for the players niece who had just passed her grade seven.  

Several months later the same player phoned and offered me her James Tubbs bow, it turns out that she enjoyed the Fetique so much it stayed with her!  This Fetique is very similar which is why it is here being offered.  

  A tremendous bow with fabulous stability it speaks directly through the fingers up your arms you play with both strength and flexibility.   It produce a luminous sound probably down to the exquisite pernambuco.  The handle is a little worn and there is a clavette repair to the head though this is utterly secure and of no concern.  With small silver lapping it weighs 58g but this could be brought to 60g if need be.

£4,200

Nicolas Remy Maire circa 1855

Nicolas Remy Maire 1800-1878
I am always delighted when a Maire comes in for sale simply because they are so good to play on, soloists and chamber musicians especially enjoy his concept of bow making.   Born in Mirecourt he worked for Etienne Pajeot until his death in 1849.   His major source of work having stopped Maire then travelled to Paris and worked from 1853 for amongst others Gand,

Chanot and, noteably J.B. Vuillaume.

This bow dates from 1855-1865 and is a superb example correct in most key parts.   The recent certificate from Bernard Millant stating this bow as Maire as opposed to Donimique Peccatte, says that the frog and button are perhaps later.  At this time he was based at 35 Rue de Viarmes in Paris.  It is easy to date by the style in that earlier Maire was very similar to Pajeot.  Once the Peccatte hatchet head became fashionable he produced these.   The older Maire was supremely able to change his style to keep in business and throughout his life he encountered both tremendous success and bankruptcy.  

  The international soloist Shlomo Mintz has just sold his Maire bow in France for fifty thousand Euros, this bow, for many years was his favourite playing bow.  It is interesting to note Nicolas Maire was 55-60 years old when he made this bow.  Imbued with a lifetime of experience this is truly wonderful playing bow.  

 

  Condition of this bow is generally superb, the only slight damage is a glueing of a small lift along a knot three quarters of the way down the stick.  Utterly secure this is of no real concern.  

 The photograph to the right shows me in discussion with the world authority on french bowmaking Bernard Millant  on a recent trip to Paris to discuss bows by Maire, Persoit and Dominique Peccatte.                                                                                

£12,000     This bow comes with a certificate by Bernard Millant, stating this bow is by Maire.

Andre Richaume circa 1958

 A first class example by this fine maker that early on in its playing career suffered damage to the head.  The new head spliced on is wonderfully done and is utterly secure, having been restorered in the 1960's it is true to say that there need be no concern over this repair whatsoever.  The best thing about the damage is the £20,000 it takes off the cost of the bow whilst not changing the playing characteristics one iota!  

Over the years I have sold quite a number of Richaume bows and have grown to greatly respect his concept of what a good playing bow should be.  I remember in particular one international concert violinist trying lots of my stock only to settle on one of my Richaume bows.This bow comes with a certificate from Jean-Francois Raffin stating that the majority of the bow is by Richaume (all but the spliced head).

£3,200