Here is a first class transitional bow circa 1800 with later fittings by the superb Tourte expert Michael J. Taylor, an extremely rare bow (Tourte L'aîné was not as prolific as his younger brother nor did he live as long), it is rare these days to see these bows on the open market as many are in private collections or in museum display cabinets.

By 1780 Tourte was highly successful selling his unique and exquisite bows to the aristocracy, this was to continue until the French Revolution of 1789. At this point, given his close association with the aristocracy his life was in danger. Tourte L'aîné kept a low profile in Paris working now with his younger brother Francois Xavier Tourte on bows. The business was helped in great part because it was situated at 3 Place de l’ecole opposite the well known violin maker Salomon’s shop.

This bow comes with two certificates, one from Jean-Francois Raffin the second from Michael Taylor.

The head suffered some damage and has a clavette repair, the lower third of the head was lost so has been replaced although this is difficult to see. The bow is 69cms in length so three cms. shorter than average.

At this time makers were still experimenting with lengths and also made to order for musicians who had many different bow models at this time to choose from. The shortness is of no consequence as I have encountered this before with a Maire bow, you quickly adjust and it doesn’t really cause any concern. It weighs in at 58g an ideal weight. The stick is of great beauty, slim but superbly strong, as is often the case with the Tourte brothers the pernambuco is visually a total delight to the eye!

With F. X. Tourte routinely reaching in excess of €100,000 here is an opportunity to own and use a bow by Tourte L'aîné but in collaboration with his younger brother. Although transitional this bow is a delight to use in any repertoire, but perhaps most at home with the late classical early romantic period works. It sparkles for instance when being used in Beethoven sonatas. Lucky indeed is the musician using a Tourte brothers bow!