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Violin bow

Maker John Kew Dodd

Distributor Norris & Barnes (distributor)

Date1770-1790 ca.

Place MadeLondon, England, Europe

Serial No.none

SignedBranded on frog away from player: NORRIS / & / BARNES
MarkingsScratched on frog at joint with stick: //
DescriptionThis bow was branded for the dealers Norris & Barnes, but made by John Dodd. The elegant, tall swan head was a fashion at the time.

Stick: round; pernambuco; uneven faceting at handle; scarf graft comprising most of handle, probably original
Head: tall swan head; rounded ridge
Frog: ivory; no slide; rounded back corner; triangular profile to leading edge of frog at joint with stick
Adjuster: ivory
Tip plate: none
Wrapping: none
Grip: none
Dimensions712 mm long
Stick length: 699 mm
Head height: 25.1 mm
Head width (bottom): 9.0 mm
Stick width near tip: 5.1 mm (top to bottom); 4.8 mm (side to side)
Stick width near middle: 7.3 mm (top to bottom); 7.1 mm (side to side)
Stick width at end of handle: 8.3 mm (top to bottom); 8.6 mm (side to side)
Frog height: 21.0 mm (front); 19.9 mm (back)
Frog length (top): 41.7 mm
Frog length (bottom): 43.9 mm
Frog width (top): 7.0 mm (front); 6.6 mm (back)
Frog width (bottom): 8.6 mm (front); 6.8 mm (back)
Weight: 48.2 grams

ProvenanceFrom the Alexander Mackay-Smith Collection, acquired through Emil Herrmann, New York, New York, 1963.
Purchased by the National Music Museum from Laurence Witten Family, New Haven, Connecticut, 1984.

Credit LineWitten-Rawlins Collection, 1984

Object number03398

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