Viola bow
Date1770 ca.
Place MadeItaly, Europe
Serial No.none
SignednoneMarkingsnone
DescriptionThe bows preserved in the Museo Stradivariano in Cremona, attributed to Antonio Stradivari, also have rounded surfaces under the frog and one has a similar head. Compare to bows with similar features NMM 3470 and NMM 3410.
Stick: round; probably pernambuco
Head: swan head with long, upturned tip; rounded outline to back edge; convex surface on underside of head (to spread hair ribbon)
Handle: rounded on underside
Frog: probably pernambuco; open hair channel; convex under hair channel to spread ribbon; brass eyelet, possibly later
Adjuster: decoratively turned bone; rolled iron screw
Tip plate: none
Wrapping: missing
Grip: none
DimensionsStick length: 728 mm
Head height: 23.5 mm
Head width (bottom): 10.2 mm
Stick width near tip: 6.1 mm (top to bottom); 6.2 mm (side to side)
Stick width near middle: 8.5 mm (top to bottom); 8.3 mm (side to side)
Stick width at end of handle: 9.5 mm (top to bottom); 9.4 mm (side to side)
Frog height: 24.5 mm (front); 20.4 mm (back)
Frog length (top): 50.8 mm
Frog length (bottom): 58.6 mm
Frog width (top): 9.3 mm (front); 9.3 mm (back)
Frog width (bottom): 11.3 mm (front); 10.1 mm (back)
Weight (without hair): 59.4 grams
Frog weight: 9.9 grams
ProvenanceFrom the workshop of Frank Hubbard, harpsichord maker, who worked for a time with baroque violins and bows.
Gift of Gift of Diane Hubbard, Weston, Massachusetts, 2005.
Technical Drawings
Credit LineGift of Diane Hubbard, 2005
Object number10837
On View
Not on view
1800-1850 ca.
1680-1750 ca.
1780-1830 ca.
1650-1700 ca.