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Violin bow

Date1760 ca.
Place MadeItaly, Europe
Serial No.none
DescriptionThis transitional bow has a long, curved tip in its original form, which was often cut off by players as fashions for bows changed.

Stick: round; pernambuco; uneven faceting at handle
Head: swan head with pronounced nose; rounded outline to front and back edges
Frog: dark tropical hardwood; no slide; decoratively cut back edge; slides in grooves cut in handle; probably later
Adjuster: ivory; tapered
Tip plate: none
Wrapping: none
Grip: none

Dimensions723 mm long
Stick length: 702 mm
Head height: 19.9 mm
Head width (bottom): 7.8 mm
Stick width near tip: 5.2 mm (top to bottom); 5.1 mm (side to side)
Stick width near middle: 7.1 mm (top to bottom); 7.1 mm (side to side)
Stick width at end of handle: 8.9 mm (top to bottom); 9.1 mm (side to side)
Frog height: 20.9 mm (front); 14.9 mm (back)
Frog length (top): 48.9 mm
Frog length (bottom): 47.5 mm
Frog width (top): 9.2 mm (front); 9.3 mm (back)
Frog width (bottom): 9.7 mm (front); 9.7 mm (back)
Weight: 45.1 grams

ProvenanceFrom the Bisiach Collection, Venegono Superiore, acquired by Laurence Witten from the heirs, 1968.
Purchased by the National Music Museum from Laurence Witten Family, New Haven, Connecticut, 1984.
Credit LineWitten-Rawlins Collection, 1984
Object number03444
On View
Not on view
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