French cello bow by Claude Thomassin, Paris (certificate by Bernard Millant)

This French cello bow by Claude Auguste Thomassin combines elegance, mature craftsmanship and outstanding musical properties. It bears the master’s original stamp over the silver-mounted ebony frog, which is decorated with a mother-of-pearl eye. Claude Thomassin had already successfully led his own atelier for twenty-five years around 1925, the approximate time when he crafted this stick of light brown pernambuco; it has a round profile, which is typical for this phase of his work. The strikingly stylish of the head reflects the self-confident manner which Claude Thomassin is famous for amongst musicians and experts in the history of bow making. Thomassin’s exceptional talents were cultivated to their fullest possible potential during his time as an apprentice under Charles Nicolas Bazin and a young bow maker at Gand & Bernardel, and these gifts are evident in the bow’s powerful and bright voice which sings with resonant brilliance. It is supported by a balance point that feels central and slightly inclined towards the frog, measuring at 24.2 cm of the total length of 71.2 cm and weight of 80.6 g. The authenticity of this bow is confirmed by the famous expert Bernard Millant, who is a reliable authority and, in a sense, an heir to Thomassin’s legacy. After Thomassin’s death, some of his pernambuco and tools went to the luthier Fernand Billotet before making their way to Bernard Millant. The bow has been set up and made ready to play, and its properties have in no way been diminished by a minor repair at the thumb grip. We recommend this premium-quality French cello bow to particularly demanding musicians performing as soloists.

 

 

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