Books › Rare bows for violin, viola, violoncello, 1931 › scan 40
Scan 40
Rare bows for violin, viola, violoncello, 1931
29 lines. Read by computer on 23 September 2026. Printed page 36. See the scan on archive.org.
1VIOLIN BOWS by NIKOLAUS KITTEL
2of ST. PETERSBURG
3Period 1850-1880
5Far from Paris, the bow-making centre of Europe, there worked in St. Petersburg, in the time of the old régime, from approximately 1839-1870, a little-known genius named Kittel.
7No facts concerning his work, his place or date of birth have been recorded by any English, French or German author, so far as the present writer has been able to learn. The late Professor Leopold Auer, who knew him personally, on several occasions discussed the subject with the writer, but was unable to throw any light on the interesting question of his early training or antecedents. He was also the most skillful Violin repairer of his time in St. Petersburg, and his shop was visited by all the leading artists of the day.
9He is called the "Russian Tourte"—and correctly so, for the high quality of his work places him in a class with François Tourte, Dominique Peccatte, Voirin, and other great French and English masters of the art. He may have studied in Paris shops—but this is conjectural only and is based on a comparison of his work with that of the Parisian makers.
11Fine examples of his work are veritable gems. Nothing can be finer, excepting only the best of François Tourte's bows. His tortoise-shell, gold-trimmed mounts are equalled by those of no other maker save Tourte, Peccatte and others in their choicest pieces.
13He selected Pernambuco of just the right texture for strength and resiliency. His bows invariably draw a large, full, voluminous tone and none are finer in staccato, spiccato and other forms of bowing.
15We consider ourselves fortunate indeed in having in our collection the following prime, choice specimens of this great master's best work.
17*No. 1570
18A magnificent round stick, rich red-brown in color. The frog is of ebony, silver-mounted, pearl eyelets with silver rings, and pearl slide. Ebony button with silver rings. Elegant head with ivory plate. Silver wrapping.
19Four hundred and fifty dollars
21*No. 1696
22Another fine, round stick, rich deep chocolate color. It would almost appear that the master made mountings individually for each stick, because, while the general characteristics are present, minor details differ. This mounting is of tortoise-shell, with small pearl eyes and heavy gold circlets, narrow ferrule with round front, of gold, and gold heel plates. Original button, with gold rings and pearl end-dot. The head of the bow is elegant, and has gold plate. The wrapping is whalebone, alternating black and white stripes. Seven hundred and fifty dollars
23SEE PAGES 20-21
25*No. 1698
26This stick is octagonal, of handsomely figured Pernambuco, of a silky texture, and medium brown in color. The head is of design similar to the others, and has ivory plate. This frog is of ebony, the pearl eyelets encircled with heavy silver rings. The ferrule is of silver. A richly figured pearl slide extends to the extreme heel and the heel is of similar pearl. Ebony button, with silver rings and pearl dot. Wrapping of pure silver wire. Seven hundred and fifty dollars
28*Stamped with name of maker
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