A French Mirecourt Workshop Violin Bow, Circa 1900

A cut above the rest; by today’s standards, faux snake wood bows from the 20th century are largely regarded as often crude and careless in craftsmanship, made with lower quality materials and rather quickly, if not altogether hastily - these are often dolled up with ornamental frogs, sometimes fashioned from ivory. Snake wood, also known as Amourette for its lovely figure is actually denser and heavier than pernambuco. (I personally tend to favor classical era bows crafted from it.) French and German workshops would imitate its figure by painting (staining) lines across their lower level sticks, those made from Brazilwood and ironwood...

Having said that, this Circa 1900 violin bow from Mirecourt, France., certainly proves to be one of the exceptions. Balancing out at 58.4 grams after a full spa treatment: cleaning, polishing, new pearl eye in the button, new tip facing and tip plate, straightening, two-toned silk lapping, lizard leather thumb grip, and fresh hair. The result is aesthetic, yet humble - a pleasingly consistent tool with a touch of heritage and an otherwise nebulous provenance.