W.E. HILL & SONS gold / tortoise violin bow by Retford 57.7 g | Metzler Violins

This bow was made by William Charles Retford, one of the most esteemed bow makers from the London firm of W.E. HILL & SONS. The round stick, of finest Pernambuco, is mounted with a gold face-plate. The tortoise-shell frog is gold-mounted, with large gold Parisian eyes on each side. The three-part button is of gold and tortoise-shell, and bears a Parisian eye in the end. The substantial wear on the handle indicates what a beloved playing stick this has been, without sacrificing any strength or balance. The weight is 57.7 grams. There are minor repairs to the frog, as indicated by a small gold pin in the frog, and a small nick on the edge, near the heel-plate.

The bow is accompanied by the certificate of authenticity from Isaac Salchow.