British bow maker Malcolm Maurice Taylor (b. 1933, d. 2012) lived a brilliant, full, and fascinating life that is wonderfully reflected in his bows  Taylor was employed at W.E. Hill & Sons at the age of 16.  He was able to complete three years of apprenticeship before enlisting in the Royal Army Corps serving in the Korean War.  In 1956, Taylor returned to Hills and was further trained in bow work by Arthur Copley.  A few years later, he became manager of the bow shop and was responsible for training the likes of John Clutterbuck, Brian Alvey, and others.  During his tenure at Hills from 1949 to 1973, Taylor’s bows bear the number 8.  After leaving Hills, Taylor made bows under his own name and was based near Barnstaple in Devon.  His stamps at that time featured his name plus “England.”  He made a number of bows to celebrate the 1981 wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana decorating the frog with the Prince’s three heraldic feathers in gold.  

Givens Violins is pleased to have acquired a Taylor bow of this model made for our amazing violists!  This bow is embellished with a tip plate, ferrule, and button of embossed gold.  The frog is adorned with the Prince of Wales heraldic feathers in a gleaming gold inlay.  Stunning!

 You will feel like royalty playing this bow.  The sturdy, confident octagonal stick yields music that is delightfully luxurious, complex, seamless, and nuanced from the viola.  The bow is powerful yet athletic and is simply joyful to play!  Taylor has gifted violists with a classy and multifaceted bow allowing us to play music the way we desire.  Consider the Taylor bow to be a life-long companion to empower your viola dreams!