In the late 1890’s a professional violinist was pondering his next bow purchase in the French city of Marseilles. He played on a fine Nicolo Amati and his bows were a Pierre Simon, Thomassin and a Prosper Colas. He was hearing from Paris of a great young maker causing a real stir at the Paris Conservatoire, pupils and professors alike were falling over themselves to order bows. He took the plunge and ordered a bow, it duly arrived and he was delighted, it was beautiful. As one of four bows he used it only for his best concert work however no sooner had it arrived than disaster struck, in a freak accident the bow was broken in the centre, he was in despair. He never spoke to his family about what happened, he told them never to touch the bow and that one day he would have it repaired, although broken, he loved the bow.
In time the violinist passed away and the violin in its case with four bows inside was passed down through the family, the violinists had left instructions it was to stay in the family and that the broken bow must never be touched as one day it would be repaired. Just over one hundred years later the family approached a top Parisienne dealer for his advice. As soon as he saw the Sartory he said, ‘I know exactly where this bow should go as I know a dealer who specialises in broken and damaged Sartory bows’. Consequently this bow is as I write being sent to our Spanish workshop to be restored. Made around 1895-1900 it is very unusual in that apart from the break the rest of the bow is as if brand new from Eugene Sartory, even the pearl has no wear at all, his original! Lucky is the next owner of this wonderful bow. The first owner was right, eventually his beloved Sartory would be restored! Imagine playing on such a bow, left dormant for a century, sometimes being a dealer can be a really rewarding occupation!
