Pernambuco Violin Bow – Northern Germany circa 1930

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Stamped:

Every once in a while, I find a bow that really has me stumped- not so far as origin, but age and the area of Germany where it was produced. This is a workshop bow I believe from the northern region of Germany. The wood is pernambuco and it was cut into a round section. The transition from the octagonal shape happens within the last ½ inch of the winding. All bows have an octagonal at the frog end for the first 5 to 6 inches. The tip and the head are original. I replaced the winding and leather that was toast. I chose to go with a silk wind with a leather thumb to keep the overall weight down on the bow. If I added a nickel silver wire and leather thumb the bow might have moved up to 64.0 grams. I like the stick with this lighter weight. The norm for the modern era of pernambuco bows is 60.0-62.5 grams in weight. The light weight works well for this stick and is easy to control.

This bow was probably made by a young apprentice in a bow making shop; there are no bench markings on the bow or on the lining nor were there any under the original winding. The maker was not allowed to put his name on the stick. It does have origin stamp. The bow is mounted in nickel fittings and is fully lined. The heel and the lining are held to the ebony by fine pin work. This is neat to see and could lead me to believe the bow is a little older than what I gave it in the heading. But I’m sticking with the 1930’s because of the solid nickel silver button for the endscrew. The pernambuco stick is tapped well from the head to the winding. This is where the skill and knowledge of even a journeyman apprentice (two-three years of working bows) could create a bow at this level. There is no excess wood left on the bow. The bow is tremendous in how it handles in the hand. Only a player who plays with the bow for a few minutes will be able to tell if the stick pulls out a great sound on their violin. This is a well-made bow, worth a serious look if you want a lighter gram weight bow.

Weight fully haired 59.5 grams