Cello bow made for A.E. Smith, Markneukirchen, c. 1930
This cello bow has now sold.
About Arthur Edward Smith
A.E. Smith was a self-taught English maker who emigrated to Australia in 1909. After a period spent in Melbourne and a brief time in San Francisco, Smith set up his workshop in Sydney. He is considered to be the finest Australian maker and was responsible for the development of violin making at a high level in the county.
In addition to his work as a maker, by 1919 Smith had founded a dealership which traded with great success until it closed in 1972. The shop sold imported instruments and bows as well as those made in Australia: this cello bow is one such item.
About Markneukirchen bows
This cello bow was made in the Markneukirchen area of Germany, very close to the Czech border. The town was one of the main centres of German instrument making, producing a great many violins, violas, cellos and bows every year. The makers in the workshops were highly trained and very skilled: each person had their own part to play in the production of the instruments and bows.
About the bow
The bow was made in Markneukirchen around 1930. The pernambuco stick is octagonal in cross section and the bow is mounted in silver and ebony. The bow measures 697 mm in length and weighs 77 grams.
How does it play?
This is a dark powerhouse of a bow! It produces a full, rich sound that gets the instrument ringing well. Despite not being a weak stick, it grabs the string brilliantly and so is capable of great volume and articulation.
Condition
The bow is in very good condition. The bow is stamped A.E.S. * above the frog on the player side.