Lutherie

MAKING MATTERS

The ability to identify the maker of a bow is a rare talent that requires a keen eye and a wealth of knowledge. Jacques Poullot gives some pointers as to how to acquire such expertise

Points of interest to violin and bow makers

French bow making as we know it today dates back to the 1780s with the pioneering work of François Xavier Tourte. To understand the progression of bow making in France, and indeed throughout Europe, we must therefore be familiar with almost 250 years of historical practice. Starting with the adoption of pernambuco as the principal bow wood and the standardisation of the main models (apart from those used by double bassists), it is possible for us to recognise the different bow makers from times past.

A wealth of books are available for bow devotees to improve their expertise

Before that time, bows were made either by the instrument makers themselves, or by anonymous craftsmen. They were considered mere accessories, the same as cases, rosins and pegs.