The bow might be an authentic Sartory violin bow being sold now as a speculative late 19th century French bow. 
The bow is BEAUTIFUL!

61 grams. 

I am not set up to do foreign sales (i.e., Pernambuco CITES regulations). Buyer must, therefore, be U.S. based. 

The wood is superior pernambuco. The silver is high grade or pure silver. The ebony is top grade ebony. The craftsmanship is superb.  

7-day trial period for domestic / U.S. buyer. Money back if not fully satisfied.

The bow is being sold as a player's bow; not as a Sartory, but as a highly desirable professional caliber playing bow. 

The below information pertains to Sartory, but since this bow does not have a certificate, and since an expert in Chicago could not ID the bow with certainty, it is being sold as speculative.

I personally do not think that the bow is by Sartory. But it does look to be late 19th century French (personal opinion).

It's a strong bow. Plays beautifully. Excellent price point! Excellent quality materials and craftsmanship!

Again this is a well priced player's bow and I will consider a lower price of 5500 USD if you contact me for details, we transact directly, and you are based in the U.S. 


Eugène Sartory violin bows enjoy consistently strong demand for several practical and historical reasons.

Why Strong Demand?

  • Reliability and playability: Sartory bows are renowned for their strength, balance, power, and consistency. They deliver a big, projecting sound with excellent articulation and are versatile across solo, chamber, and orchestral settings. Many professionals describe them as “workhorse” bows that perform reliably under pressure.
  • Modern suitability: Their broader heads, stronger sticks, and robust construction meet the demands of larger concert halls and modern repertoire better than many 19th-century bows.
  • Reputation and pedigree: Widely regarded as the most important French bow maker of the 20th century. Patronage by virtuosos like Eugène Ysa e helped cement their status. High workshop standards (even with assistants like Morizot and Fétique) ensured quality control.
  • Accessibility and liquidity: They are relatively plentiful compared to Peccatte or Tourte but still carry prestige, making them a “safe” high-end purchase that holds value well and is easy to resell.
  • Proven track record: Strong auction results and steady retail demand across decades.

Best Period

Sartory’s best / “golden” period is generally considered c. 1900–1930 (especially 1910s–1920s), with many experts highlighting bows from around 1905–1925 as peak examples. His style matured early, and these bows combine elegance with strength. Post-1930 bows become stronger and thicker (often octagonal) but can feel slightly heavier. Early bows (pre-1900) are also prized for denser wood and slimmer profiles.

Best Wood

Sartory preferred dense, dark reddish-brown to chocolate-colored pernambuco in his early-to-middle periods. This rich, dark wood (sometimes treated) gives the characteristic power and tonal depth. Later bows sometimes use lighter/golden pernambuco, but the dark, dense selections from his best period are most sought after.

Current Market Prices (2026)

  • Silver-mounted violin bows (good condition, best period): $25,000 – $50,000+ USD retail/private sale.
  • Gold-mounted or exhibition examples: $60,000 – $150,000+.
  • Auction records: Up to $214,000+ USD for exceptional gold-mounted pieces; strong silver-mounted examples regularly exceed $30,000–$80,000.

Prices vary with condition, originality of mounts, certification (e.g., Raffin), and provenance. Well-preserved bows from the 1910–1925 period with dark wood command the strongest premiums.

A fine Sartory represents the pinnacle of 20th-century French bow making — a reliable, powerful modern classic that complements the more individualistic 19th-century French bows.

Foreign buyers (non-U.S.) must buy the bow through Tarisio Private Sales due to CITES restrictions on Pernambuco wood bows.