Bass viol bow by Richard Wilson, Berwick-upon-Tweed

This period has now sold.

About Richard Wilson

Richard represents the best of the English bow making tradition, having trained in the Hill style with the maker Garner Wilson. He makes truly exceptional bows from his workshop near Berwick-upon-Tweed, all imbued with a very fine understanding of the aesthetics of excellent French bows.

As a former professional violist, Richard has an excellent understanding of what players need from the bow in their case. Richard makes modern, classical and Baroque bows and we are delighted to have a number of his modern and classical bows available in addition to this bass viol bow.

About the bow

The bow weighs 78 grams and the round stick measures 773 mm in length. The stick is made of beautifully figured snakewood and the frog is made of muhuhu, an African tropical hardwood.

The bow is modelled after the bass viol bows developed in 17th century France. These bows with elongated head and button are known as the Marais model as there are two famous portraits of the composer and violist Marin Marais using a bow of this design.

How does it sound?

The truth is that we are not best placed to comment on this bow! It is very well balanced and engages well with the strings, drawing out a rich, pure sound. We can only imagine that it plays as brilliantly as all of Richard’s other bows when in more expert hands: all feedback gratefully received!

Condition

The bow is in original mint condition.

More information

This period instruments has now sold.