Bow Type: Viola Bow
Item #: XXX-996
Year: 1880
Price: Sold
Maker: James Tubbs ‘ex-Jascha Heifetz'
Description: This is an exceptionally rare opportunity to own a very special piece of musical history. This bow was owned and played on by none other than the great Jascha Heifetz. He would use this bow mainly for teaching and the occasional use for private chamber music get togethers. The bow is 63.0 grams, which is light for a viola bow typically, but this bow plays beautifully and is so well proportioned and balanced. Heifetz played on a very light violin bow as well, a Nicolas Kittel bow which only weighed 53 grams, so this seems to be the style and tendency for lighter and stronger bows that Heifetz so appreciated. The bow was last sold at the Heifetz Musical Estate Auction back in 1989 and was sold to a private collector who never played on the bow. The bow is in excellent condition at this time. This bow is accompanied by the Heifetz estate certificate of provenance and a certificate of authenticity by Paul Martin Siefried. We will also include our own certificate with provenance.
James Tubbs was born in London on March 25, 1835, the eldest of eleven children in a poor family. He learned the trade of bow making from his father, William Tubbs, Jr. and was probably either unemployed or a day labourer when he began working for W. E. Hill & Sons around 1858. The bows of the talented young master quickly won important awards for the highly esteemed company. James Tubbs worked for the Hills but in an atelier of his own, and it can be assumed that he was not their employee; instead, he had a tenuous arrangement in which the Hills provided him work. James Tubbs successes allowed him to move to new addresses in London until he ultimately set up his workshop in Wardour Street No. 94 in the 1870s. James Tubbs celebrated his greatest accomplishments in the 1880s, when he crafted bows for famous musicians such as August Wilhelmj and was appointed the court bow maker for the Duke of Edinburgh. This particular bow was made for William Ebsworth Hill and is branded with his brand: W.E.Hill.
Terms: This fine bow has been hand selected for addition to our catalog and is available for examination and trial. If you wish to inquire further about this bow, please contact us using the green button at the top of this listing or call 1-818-762-1374 during business hours.
