François Gaulard: Rare violin and viola bow, circa 1850

A rare bow for violin and viola, from François Gaulard's most mature period. Perfectly preserved in its original condition, the frog by Francois Pecatte – a sound investment with excellent sound quality.

François Jude Gaulard (1787–1857) was a highly productive bow maker who, with his individual style, occupies a special position in Mirecourt bow making in the first half of the 19th century. The bow offered here is an extremely rare piece that is suitable for playing both the violin and the viola – a masterpiece in its original condition that meets the highest musical standards and is also an interesting investment.

François Gaulard, son of a family of violin and bow makers from Mirecourt, probably learned the art of bow making from Louis Simon Pajeot, whose influence is unmistakable in his early work. His extensive oeuvre reflects the great success he achieved with his work – examples of superior, traditional craftsmanship made from exquisite materials, whose individual advantages he knew how to bring out with great sensitivity. The violin and viola bow offered here represents the work of François Gaulard at its full maturity, which it had reached around 1850: the strong, but medium-strong and extremely fault-tolerant stick is 73.9 cm long – including the three-part Peccatte-style leg – and made of the finest Amourette tropical wood; a material that is difficult to work with, but whose use in French bow making has a long tradition. With the original GAULARD stamp on the stick, the original winding, the nickel-mounted ebony frog and a head plate decorated with a mother-of-pearl eye, this François Gaulard bow is in a rare state of historical authenticity. Its wonderfully bright, well-structured, noble and typically French sound is rich in volume and color.

• François Jude Gaulard – violin and viola bow, around 1850
• Magnificent historical bow with original fittings
• Original stamp, the frog by Francois Pecatte
• First-class playing and sound characteristics
• A worthwhile investment
• certificate of authenticity by J.-F. Raffin, Paris

Our trade-in guarantee, free delivery and 30-day return policy are included in the price; we offer a certificate of value on request.