The main auction at Vichy this year had just under five hundred lots, mostly of the lower end of the market but with some excellent rare pieces here and there.
Read MorePHB also helps violinists find fine violins
As a dealer in fine and rare bows I have built up a network of dealer friends around the world with whom I feel comfortable and whose judgement I trust. Although not a specialist violin dealer I have been able to find rare and beautiful examples of some of the best makers from the golden period of making such as Amati -Antonio and Hieronymus circa 1618, Giuseppe Gagliano circa 1770, Pietro Guarneri of Mantua circa 1710 Giovanni Maggini circa 1620, Carlo Ferdinando Landolfi.
Read MorePHB buys first Dominique Peccatte to offer for sale
Several years ago I discussed with a dealer colleague based in Australia my need for a good Dominique Peccatte bow to add to my collection. It would have to have some damage since good examples are now selling for as much as £130,000. He told me of the only dealer he felt could help and at the same time keep the price reasonable. This man spends his life travelling round the world dealing in bows and is both honourable and a successful business man.
Read MorePlayer saves £24,000 in buying from PHB
Last December I brought in from an American colleague a superb example of a J B Vuillaume meche interchangeable bow, almost certainly by Pierre Simon – circa 1845. This bow had a later frog (Joseph Voirin circa 1860) and button but from a similar period and were again from the Vuillaume workshop in origin.
Read MoreLondon auction news
In what was generally a lacklustre auction week here in London there were however two rather exceptional bows offered.
The first was on Tuesday at Sotheby’s, a wonderful gold and tortoiseshell bow by Emile Auguste Ouchard from the late 1940′s. This bow was very good value at £16,000. The other highlight was a mint example Sartory circa 1930 it is indeed rare to see genuine ‘as new’ Sartory bows these days. This bow went to a top Japanese dealer who fought off several Parisian dealers to buy for £16,000, needless to say in discussion later he was elated with his purchase.
Generally French bows continued to climb in price, English bows remained static, the exception being a fine Hill Fleur-de-Lys bow that sold for £10,000.
David enjoys his Pajeot
After searching for quite a while for a flexible bow, with rich and colourful possibilities, I finally bought an Atelier Pajeot bow from Peter. I am very happy with the bow, having lots of fun with it, and looking forward to learning a lot from it. Thank you very much, Peter, for your friendly, helpful, expert advice and nice talks.
Read MoreCarole keeps it for herself
I am delighted to have bought a wonderful Fetique from Peter. Originally the purchase was intended for my niece, but the bow is so lovely to play on that I have kept it for myself!
Read MoreMiranda’s miraculous Lamy
I've learnt so much from you about the world of bows that I never really knew existed. It’s only the tip of the iceberg for me, but perhaps now I can join the true path with other fellow fine bow seekers safe in the knowledge that if I get stuck along the way I’ll know who to call
Read MoreCarl, London based violinist and recitalist
In 1993 I bought a wonderful F.N. Voirin from Peter Hembrough Bows and it cost £2,300. I recently had the bow valued and it is currently worth £8,000! Thank you for such a fine example.
Read MoreYour Dream Bow Found
Due to my links in the dealer world whatever bow you want I can probably source one within ten days!
Read MorePeter Hembrough Bows does it again
Just in today – a couple of fabulous early to middle Eugene Sartorys from his best period and all in his hand. Due to the sudden sharp rise in his bows’ value these examples are indeed a rarity. Thankfully there is some damage making these bows slightly less expensive than the mint examples on the market.
Read MoreJust what bows did the great players use?
This is a common question that occurs quite frequently from requests from all around the globe. So below is the beginning of the definitive list. Most players have a stable of bows (Oistrakh used to buy a bunch on his trips to Paris) but also tend to have a favourite that they use more than others
Read MorePeter the penguin
Even the best bows can’t always hold the attention of a discerning audience.
Here my beautiful Voirin leaves the critics divided in their appreciation.
Stradivari really was a rather fine maker
A glorious day with instruments doing exactly what you ask of them, with depth never felt before. The 1726 Stradivari in particular was simply out of this world. Sometimes there are benefits to being a busy bow dealer!
Read MoreCan I take both please?
I am delighted with my octagonal Sartory bow, such a joy to play on – thank you Peter for bringing us together
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