Historical baroque and classical violin bows

Here are photos of Baroque and Classical violin bows that I make.

All the models shown here are based on original bows from the 17th and 18th centuries. I travel to instrument collections in museums and private collections to study and measure the old bows, and where possible, also play them myself and feel the musical character of the bow.

 

early baroque 17th century short bow early baroque 17th century short bow

17th century short bow.
This Bow is based on an original bow from around 1680, probably English or French. It is 58 cm long. Great for Monteverdi, Lully, Purcell, Biber, Schmelzer and Corelli.

early baroque 17th century short bow early baroque 17th century short bow

Short violin bow with clip-in frog.
This bow is inspired by an original Italian bow, probably from the end of the 17th century.
It is 64 cm long, made from snakewood or ironwood.

early baroque 17th century Austrian bow early baroque 17th century Austrian bow

Violin bow,  after an Austrian bow c. 1700

In 1982, while renovating the St. Martin church in  Klosterneuburg near Vienna, a bow was found under the floor of the organ balcony. From the history of the church it is known that the bow could have fallen there between 1683 and 1725.  The original bow (frog was missing) is now at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. The bow is 64 cm long and made from Larch wood.

Viola D'amore or Violin bow after Caspar Stadler 1714 Viola D'amore or Violin bow after Caspar Stadler 1714

Viola D’amore or Violin bow after Caspar Stadler 1714
This Bow is made after an original bow by Caspar Stadler in the “Germanishes National Museum” in Nurnberg. It is 66 cm long and it’s weight makes it an excelent violin bow as well. In my mind, this is the most perfect bow for the music of J.S Bach.

Adapted “Stadler” model with screw mechanism.

Baroque 1720 Hill 19 violin bow Baroque 1720 Hill 19 violin bow

Violin “long sonata bow” with clip-in frog (c. 1720)
This bow is based on the original bow in the Ashmolean museum in Oxford (Hill collection no.19)
Ideal for early 18th century music like Vivaldi and Haendel. Recent studies show that this type of bow was also used in the 2nd half of the 18th century.

Baroque violn bow, French 1750 Baroque violn bow, French 1750

Violin bow with screw mechanism, French c.1750.
Based on an original French 18th century bow, in a private collection.
Made from Snakewood with Snakewood frog and mammoth ivory button. Historically, that is the bow for period of Leclair and Rameau, but this model is excellent as an all-round baroque bow.

Early Classical (transitional) violin bow, based on an original German bow from around 1765. Early Classical (transitional) violin bow, based on an original German bow from around 1765.

Early Classical (transitional) violin bow, based on an original German bow from around 1765.

Pernambuco stick and Ebony frog and button.
This bow has a sweet sound, a flexible stick that allows shades and expression, bounces in a light and gentle way, and has a distinct but not aggressive articulation (maybe that is what Leopold Mozart refers to “a certain softness at the beginning of the stroke”). It is my favorite model for playing Mozart and early Haydn, and also for C.P.E Bach.

Classical (transitional) bow - based on an original bow by N. Duchaine I (c. 1765) Classical (transitional) bow - based on an original bow by N. Duchaine I (c. 1765)

Classical (transitional) bow – based on an original bow by N. Duchaine I (c. 1765)

Pernambuco stick. The original frog and screw button are made from Ivory, but I usually make it from Ebony. This is one of the earliest bows to have a head plate.

Early Classical (transitional) violin bow, based on an original German bow from around 1770. Early Classical (transitional) violin bow, based on an original German bow from around 1770.

Early Classical (transitional) violin bow, based on an original German bow from around 1770.

Snakewood stick and Ebony frog and button. This model has the clarity of sound and brightness typical of Snakewood, and is excellent for on-the-string playing.

Classical bow after N.Duchaine, c. 1775. Classical bow after N.Duchaine, c. 1775.

Classical bow after N.Duchaine II, c. 1775. Pernambuco and Mastodon tusk.

ֻClassical bow after Tourte, c. 1790. Pernambuco and Ebony.

Classical (transitional) violin bow , based on an original German bow from around 1790 Classical (transitional) violin bow , based on an original German bow from around 1790

Classical (transitional) violin bow , based on an original German bow from around 1790. Stick made from Larch wood and the frog and button from Ebony. Very light bow and very long (77cm).