The gold standard for a gentleman's bow in the 19th century involves a specific set of actions, making it a refined gesture of respect. While the provided reference is limited, it suggests a technique which, when elaborated, looks like this:
Performing a Gentleman's Bow
Although the reference extract is limited, a proper gentleman's bow in the 19th century, based on the video mentioned, is likely a refined gesture which would involve the following components, although this should be contextualized by occasion, status, and personal inclination:
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Initiate the Movement: Start from an upright, respectful posture.
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Head and Neck: Gently nod the head forward simultaneously as the bow commences.
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Body Movement: Bend forward slightly from the waist, maintaining a straight back and head in line with the spine, and neck relaxed.
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Hand Placement (Optional): Some gentlemen may subtly move their hands outwards slightly, depending on the length of the bow and whether they are wearing a hat (which would necessitate doffing it).
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The Return: Lift the head and straighten the body smoothly, maintaining eye contact as appropriate for the situation.
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Refrain from Extravagance: Keep the bow controlled and graceful; avoid deep or exaggerated movements.
Therefore, a gentleman's bow is a subtle but refined gesture of respect that focuses on controlled movement, posture, and the overall impression of deference without being obsequious.
