Carl H. George Gold Mounted Violin Bow – WOW BOW! circa 1910-1920

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Stamp:

Violin maker Carl George (1882-1950) was born in Hamburg, Germany. He migrated with his family to Toronto, Canada in 1886. Ten years later, at age 14, he moved to Chicago. He apprenticed himself to Gustave Ferron and later established himself with Franz Wagner, which grew into the Wagner and George violin firm from 1898-1945. George was a very talented maker and restorer and is credited with making 400 violins, 30 cellos, and many bows branded Wagner & George. He made violins and bows throughout his career.

Our bow has an illegible stamped area for the WAGNER & GEORGE stamp on the player’s side. What is so interesting is that this gold mounted bow was a presentation violin bow to Vera. I have spent countless hours- over 9 hours now researching and trying to find out if Vera was in a major symphony in the Chicago, Cleveland, and/or Pittsburgh areas and in the correct timeframe. I have had no luck in finding an exact name to determine the player the bow was made for. The Wagner & George shop was one of the top shops in Chicago from 1898-1945; a violin shop that catered to countless players from major orchestras.

The violin bow is pernambuco specie, round in section, and features gold mounts and a gold winding with a lizard thumb. The wood is choice and firm in it’s makeup, harvested from Brazil, older old stock wood from the early to mid-1800’s. We meticulously went over the entire bow and I’ve determined that the bow is totally original and has no issues. Somehow the wood made it to Carl George and was selected to be made into a gold mounted bow. The grain is flawless and the natural patina on the stick helps this bow stand out. The frog is ebony with single mother-of-pearl eyes and the end button is three pieces capped with a mother-of-pearl white abalone. The other end of the bow is just as nice. It is a Wow! – one of the nicest swan heads I have ever seen and had the chance to study. The bow plays and was made for a professional. It is a 100 year old plus violin bow that is fantastic. This will make an awesome bow for a serious player.

Weight fully haired 64.5 grams