Violin Bow
John "Kew" Dodd British
Not on view
Originally trained as a metalworker, John Dodd became one of the finest bow makers in Britain. It is thought that he began making bows in the 1770s or 80s, although he is not listed in directories until 1794. Dodd was active in the communities of Lambeth and Kew, from which he received his moniker. While he did supply some violin workshops with bows that bear their brands, including Betts, Forster, and Banks, his other bows (including this one) are stamped with his own surname.
Technical description: Octagonal pernambuco stick with camber cut in, gold and black leather wrapping, French tip with nearly rectangular mortise possibly converted from T-mortise, ivory headplate, ebony liner, ebony frog (slightly chipped, throat seems enlarged) with prismatic guide, no underside, gold ferrule with engraved crown and lion, mother-of-pearl slide and heelplate, gold-covered octagonal button with rounded edges, engraved "1813/6".
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