Gold Mounted Violin Bow by W.E. Hill and Sons, London c.1910 to 1920

The family business W.E. Hill & Sons, founded by William Ebsworth Hill in 1880 on Wardour Street, London, moved to 38 New Bond Street in 1882 and to 140 New Bond Street in 1895. The firm enjoyed unrivaled success and respect throughout the 20th century as violin and bow makers, restorers, and experts, with books on Stradivari and the Guarneri Family by the Hill Brothers still considered standard references.

Bow making was one of their most significant contributions to English lutherie. Their Hanwell workshops employed master craftsmen like Samuel Allen, William Retford, and Arthur Bultitude. The violin making and restoration department included Mirecourt-trained staff such as Leon Delunet, J. M. Somny, and three generations of the Langonet family. In the 1970s, the business moved from London to Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, and was dissolved in 1992. Their violins were meticulous Stradivari copies, showcasing refined workmanship.

W.E. Hill & Sons are renowned as pre-eminent bow makers. Their bows, made with the finest materials and craftsmanship, were modeled after the best examples by Tourte and Dodd. They used aged pernambuco wood, naturally seasoned for ten years, and their bows featured fine heads, meticulously finished details, and high-quality screws made from case-hardened steel. Known for their elasticity, strength, and perfect balance, their Dodd-modelled bows, stamped "W.E. H. & Sons" and "W.E. Hill & Sons", are especially prized. Gold-mounted sticks with a fleur-de-lys command high prices.

This gold mounted example does justice to the importance of their name. It produces a refined and elegant sound, bringing out the very best the instrument has to offer. Its tone is warm and round. Not as soft as some of the very flexible Hill bows, this gives it a bit more power and depth, making it a very attractive option for a player looking for such a bow.