Nicolas Maline for Vuillaume, fine cello bow (certificate by J.F. Raffin)

The fine Nicolas Maline for J.B. Vuillaume cello bow we present here has attributes that make it worthy of the claim to superiority which the French school of bow making had rightfully earned for itself in the 19th century: a powerful, large sound, good balance, a clear voice. Crafted around 1850, this Nicolas Maline bow deserves the name it bears, a name which expresses the honourable French tradition like hardly anyone else: Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, the leading figure in violin and bow making of his day. He put his original stamp on this piece above the genuine silver-mounted frog which is rounded in his unmistakable style. Weighing 76.5 g, the round stick of this strong and well-proportioned bow is crafted of beautiful light-brown pernambuco. The fact that a piece which so authentically embodies Vuillaume’s standards was actually made by someone else is no contradiction in terms: working under someone else’s name was common practice, not only in the workshop of this particular master. A certificate issued by leading Parisian bow-making expert J.F. Raffin (included in the price) confirms that no less a luminary than Nicolas Maline himself made the cello bow in question. At the time the bow was made, Nicolas Maline had just started establishing himself under his own name. However, he also remained faithful to his earlier mentor Vuillaume, who always welcomed Nicolas Maline’s pieces, especially since Maline had been one of his best employees. The experts at our atelier are convinced of the outstanding properties of this bow which found its way to us in very good condition - the last silver ring of the button is missing the silver cap that we left to preserve the original condition of the bow. We have now set it up and made it ready to play. It meets the highest standards, and we heartily recommend it.

 

 

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