BAUSCH Workshop Violin Bow- Leipzig Area circa 1900

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Stamped:

This BAUSCH workshop bow is from the early 20th century. This stamp/brand was used as a generic stamp from the Bausch workshop. To meet the demand, a thriving industry developed in a remote area of eastern Germany near the Czech border, a region known as Western Bohemia. The center of the instrument making industry was the town of Markneukirchen in the state of Saxony. The Bausch family, makers from 1804-1875, were highly regarded, esteemed in the bow making area of the violin trade. Their bows were known for their outstanding craftsmanship and playability. They made bows for four generations beginning with Ludwig Christian August Bausch in the 1820’s. The family made superb bows sold as their own and marketed unstamped bows to other shops in Germany, such as the Heinrich Knopf workshop. The “BAUSCH” branded bows were still being made while the Bausch shop was under the management of the Paulus family from 1876 up to the 1920’s.

Our BAUSCH bow is sterling silver mount, round in section, pernambuco old wood. The color is red/brown with a touch of orange. The bow is supple yet firm in its strength and the camber is gradual throughout the stick. A sterling silver mounted bow with a three-piece end button. The button has a double turn collar. The frog is not original to the stick. Bow makers, apprentices, and journeymen worked long, detailed hours, farmers hours, sunup to sundown, executing their craft. We don’t know the exact name of the maker, but I do know that this person was well skilled and spent many hours on this stick. The bow is easy to control, with a lighter overall weight. Bows from this period come in lower in gram weight than that of a modern bow. The stick feels like a feather in my hand and is easily controlled.

Weight fully haired 57.1 grams