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Violin bow

Maker François Xavier Tourte

Date1770-1790 ca.

Place MadeParis, France, Europe

Serial No.none

MarkingsInitials “C J” scratched in frog away from player
Also “EJacque” toward player
DescriptionThis Tourte bow is of an early, transitional form with hatchet-shaped head.

Stick: round; dark tropical hardwood; uneven faceting at handle
Head: hatchet shape; small nose; square outline to leading edge; rounded outline to back edge
Handle: no nipple
Frog: dark tropical hardwood (same as stick); no slide; angled back corner
Adjuster: ivory; small
Tip plate: none
Wrapping: none
Grip: none

Dimensions717 mm long
Stick length: 698 mm
Head height: 22.1 mm
Head width (bottom): 8.6 mm
Stick width near tip: 4.8 mm (top to bottom); 4.2 mm (side to side)
Stick width near middle: 7.0 mm (top to bottom); 7.0 mm (side to side)
Stick width at end of handle: 8.3 mm (top to bottom); 7.8 mm (side to side)
Frog height: 23.2 mm (front); 15.8 mm (back)
Frog length (top): 40.1 mm
Frog length (bottom): 45.7 mm
Frog width (top): 7.9 mm (front); 7.7 mm (back)
Frog width (bottom): 9.6 mm (front); 5.9 mm (back)
Weight: 45.3 grams

ProvenanceLaurence Witten acquired as a gift from Charles Beare, London, 1982.
Purchased by the National Music Museum from Laurence Witten Family, New Haven, Connecticut, 1984.
Published ReferencesPeter Walls, “Mozart and the Violin,” Early Music, Vol. XX, No. 1 (February 1992), pp. 7-29.

André P. Larson. Beethoven & Berlioz, Paris & Vienna: Musical Treasures from the Age of Revolution & Romance 1789-1848. With essay by John Koster. Exhibition catalog, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, September 12-November 2, 2003. Vermillion: National Music Museum 2003. Page 35.

Credit LineWitten-Rawlins Collection, 1984

Object number03409

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