An extremely important maker, here is a rare chance to own one of his best examples. From the same era as the hugely influential gold and tortoiseshell Pajeot once owned and extensively played by the late Isaac Stern.

I first owned an Etienne Pajeot in the 1990′s and spent six happy years using it until another player bought the bow. This bow has had some restorative work carried out at the head, this takes some twenty thousand off the asking price. Although original wood goes to the head in the centre the head is a new one grafted expertly on.

Visually stunning and wonderful to play, until recently it was used by a top flight french professional player and it had a Millant certificate (sadly destroyed by the owner in despair after he damaged the bow).

Known to the LeCanu and Millant families for three decades it is indeed a bow to covet. In my job I study many hundreds of bows but come across bows of this calibre only once or twice a year. The stamp is in remarkable condition given its age, indeed the bow is in wonderful condition as a whole.

The silver thumb extension is an innovation that Pajeot used from 1815 till 1849, the year of his death. It is interesting to note that this model of bow is once again very popular with the best contemporary makers who emulate Pajeot’s beautiful concept, why not own the original?