Bow Type: Viola Bow
Item #: XXX-1134
Year: 1880
Price: Upon Request
Maker: James Tubbs
Description: Weight: 65.0 g
The Viola Bow
This fine viola bow crafted by esteemed British bowmaker James Tubbs, showcasing the finest quality pernambuco in its masterfully crafted round stick. This exceptional viola bow features elegant sterling silver mountings with plain pearl eyes. A lighter weight viola bow at 65.0 grams, however this bow is exceptionally well balanced and the stick draws an impressive tone. This fine viola bow offers the perfect balance that professional violinists seek. Serious players and collectors will appreciate this rare opportunity to acquire a distinguished example from the top British maker of the 19th and 20th century.
The Maker
James Tubbs was born in London on March 25, 1835, the eldest of eleven children in a poor family. He learned the trade of bow making from his father, William Tubbs, Jr. and was probably either unemployed or a day labourer when he began working for W. E. Hill & Sons around 1858. The bows of the talented young master quickly won important awards for the highly esteemed company. James Tubbs worked for the Hills but in an atelier of his own, and it can be assumed that he was not their employee; instead, he had a tenuous arrangement in which the Hills provided him work. James Tubbs successes allowed him to move to new addresses in London until he ultimately set up his workshop in Wardour Street No. 94 in the 1870s. James Tubbs celebrated his greatest accomplishments in the 1880s, when he crafted bows for famous musicians such as August Wilhelmj and was appointed the court bow maker for the Duke of Edinburgh.
Certifications
This fine viola bow has been certified by Jean-Francois Raffin.
- Jean-François Raffin, based in Paris, is internationally recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities on French bows. His certificates are among the most respected in the field, and he has authored definitive works on historic French bow makers and their methods.
Terms of Sale:
This fine bow has been hand selected for addition to our catalog and is available for examination and trial. If you wish to inquire further about this bow, please contact us using the green button at the top of this listing or call 1-818-762-1374 during business hours.