BAUSCH Workshop Violin Bow- Leipzig/Saxony circa 1870-1890

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The Bausch name is very important in the bow making world. Ludwig Bausch began making bows in the late 1820’s. What followed was four generations of bow makers. I believe this bow was made at the Bausch workshop in Leipzig, northwest of the larger making area of Markneukirchen. The number of workshops and bow makers during this period is stunning! It is hard for me to imagine, but they sold tens of thousands of bows up until 1940. In the late 1800’s there were about 70 independent bow makers working in shops in Markneukirchen itself and 100 other firms located in the surrounding communities. There were 42 registered journeymen, 44 apprentices, as well as 76 various suppliers who did not belong to the cooperative of bow makers. They produced or helped produce about 18,000 pernambuco bows on a yearly basis. This wonderful workshop bow was not made by an amateur. The Bausch workshops ended in Leipzig in the 1874-1880 about a decade after the death of Karl Friedrich Ludwig Bausch Jr. in 1871.

Pernambuco violin bow, nickel silver mounts, round in section. The bow is all original except for the winding and leather thumb. The stick is fantastic, light in gram weight with some fight and suppleness. The ebony frog has the mother-of-pearl eyes with a ring of silver around the pearl. Very typical Bausch frog. The heel is one-piece, and the throat is slightly larger than most 20th century Markneukirchen frogs. The lining is held in with silver pin work. The handmade frog is very different from modern German frogs made post WW II. The frog is smaller, slightly thinner, thinner pearl slide and pearl eye area, a larger throat area, and fits easily in my hand. The end button is three pieces and is finished with a pearl end. The bow has a beautiful orange/brown color, shows fine workmanship, and choice pernambuco. I can’t say enough good things about the bow, and it is in excellent condition. An older bow, late 19th century, and ready for a few more generations to play with.

Weight fully haired 54.0 grams