Violin bow found in rubbish in Cambridgeshire sold for £3,600 at auction

A violin bow found in a pile of rubbish, due to be thrown away from a garage in Cambridgeshire, has been sold for £3,600, by Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers.

The discarded bow was discovered along with a violin in a dilapidated case covered in mildew.

At the sale in Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, on Wednesday 13 March, the bidding rose fast, and competition in the room continued to push the price up.

It’s thought that the bow was produced in about 1900, and is considered to be an early example from the highly prized bow makers, W E Hill & Son.

It belonged to the estate of a vicar and despite being found in a damp garage, seemed to have escaped with only superficial damage.

Sworders’ Managing Director, Guy Schooling, said, “This violin was listed on the website ahead of the sale and shows the considerable power of the internet in drawing people to our auctions. This bow was bought by a music teacher who was delighted with his purchase."

The next Interior sale at Sworder’s auction rooms in Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex is on 20 March 2013 at 10am.