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This certainly is an old bow as is evidenced by wear in shaft at the grip area, probably made very early in the 20th century. However, the stick is in impeccable condition, free from repairs or damage. Both the frog and shaft have the letter D stamped into the contact areas at the mortise, confirming that the frog is original to the bow. Furthermore it can be accepted with confidence that the adjuster is the original.
The absence of the usual identifiers which indicate who the maker of the bow was leaves that matter open to speculation. However, it is an interesting fact that during the time that James Tubbs made bows for the firm of Hill, he didn't leave any identifiers on the bows he made.
This bow has the superb playing properties one associates with Hill bows bearing this stamp - it is very stable in legato passages and lends itself to superb spiccato and fine articulation in detaché strokes. It was the main bow of a professional violinist for many years and evidently was well looked after.
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The Nut :
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Ebony with simple eye. Plain silver button
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Lapping :
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Silver lapping. Black leather thumbpad.
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Condition :
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Superb condition.
Only one thing on this bow would require attention - although the frog is still in superb condition, the simple mother-of-pearl eyes on both flanks have been slightly damaged through the years and should eventually be replaced by a professional bowmaker.
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Provenance :
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This bow belongs to Johan Grobbelaar
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