The Maker:

Andrew Dipper is a skilled restorer, luthier, historian, and writer with a background in sculpture and Cremonese violinmaking. He has made replicas of historic bows for 35 years. Mr. Dipper’s work is informed by dedicated scholarship, study of original bows and museum conservation.  Examples of his restoration, conservation, and reproduction work can be found in many of the foremost public and private musical instrument collections, as well as in the hands of acclaimed players worldwide.

Model:

Two examples of the bows from the Stradivari period (1680-1740) are known and they both have screw mechanisms for their adjustment, dating them after 1710. Andrew Dipper makes his Stradivari pattern bows according to the characteristics of the extant examples. The sticks are longer than usual for the period 1720-40 at 68 to 70 cm and the heads are higher. Stradivari bows are made from snakewood and are fine and agile in design and dimensions. The heart design of the frog replicates a frog pattern for a Stradivari cello bow, #MS485, in the Stradivari relics of Il Museo del Violino in Cremona. There is a reasonable possibility that the development of the violin and viola bow away from the short and stiff Corelli bow took place in Cremona in the period 1720-30 and was engendered by the influence and performance requirements of the two violin virtuosi, Giuseppe Tartini & Gasparo Visconti of Cremona.

 

Materials:

Stick: Snakewood

Frog: Snakewood

 

Certificate:

Andrew Dipper

 

Specs:

Weight: 61.9 g

Length: 70.0 cm