W. E. Hill & Sons violin bow by Edgar Bishop, circa 1930

This magnificent violin bow is a piece by Edgar Bishop, who was one of the best employees of the famous London W. E. Hill & Sons and was considered one of William C. Retford's favourite students. Together with Albert Leeson, Edgar Bishop was responsible for the painstakingly crafted and spectacularly decorated fleur-de-lys bows which were a major factor in the international renown of the bow makers at Hill & Sons. Unlike those eye-catching pieces, this particular violin bow features a reserved aesthetic marked by British understatement and bears the original Hill & Sons stamp: it appears as if the intention was for this bow to allow its outstanding musical characteristics to speak for themselves. The straightforward classic style of the top-quality silver mounting with a mother-of-pearl eye is captivating, drawing attention to the round-profile stick of the finest reddish-brown pernambuco; the violin bow's balance point is well-centred and inclines slightly towards the upper half, lying at 25.6 cm of the total 74.1 cm in length. Comfortable and nuanced in play, this violin bow, which we received in undamaged condition and have set up, features a large radiant sound with excellent volume. It will easily satisfy the sophisticated standards of professional musicians.

 

 

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