Although there were only a handful of four-figure lots, consistent bidding throughout saw few pieces going for a song. Bows for string instruments are generally in demand but it was, perhaps unusual to see them take the top prices.
The highlight was a silver-mounted violin bow, branded Alfred Lamy à Paris with a certificate of authenticity by Jean-Francois Raffin. With the ebony frog inlaid with pearl eyes, and the ebony adjuster with two silver bands, it made £2200.
Another silver-mounted bow, this time for a cello, branded W.E.Hill & Sons sold with a leather-covered bow box at £1700. By comparison, a French cello labelled Jean Baptiste Colin Lutherie Artistique (J.B.C.) Anni 1902, made only slightly more at £1800.
Instruments play second fiddle to bows
THE Bath auctioneers Gardiner Houlgate (15 per cent buyer's premium), who have made musical instruments a widely and well-regarded specialist subject, saw a respectable 70 per cent take-up for their 317-lot event on 1 December.
