Non-Branded Markneukirchen Violin Bow circa 1920

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This is a fantastic German violin bow, mounted in nickel silver fittings with the brand on the bow probably worn off by hundreds of hours of practice. The bow is in fabulous condition, but after meticulously going over the bow we soon discovered we needed to spend some extra attention to this bow. We replaced the torn, and ever so crusty, silver tinsel with a new silver tinsel winding and leathers. This violin bow is gorgeous, with great pernambuco wood, better than choice. It is firm, octagonal in section and handles very well. In the workshop we cleaned up the tip, it’s original, and so is the frog-everything fits so well and is in outstanding shape. The head is over the top nice, strong but also dainty, not overly large. The head has two small width chamfers cut by skilled knife work. The pin work on the frog is above average and the top plate is set with two small set silver pins, not screws. The endscrew is a solid sterling silver cap with fine executed lathe turning work and a fine double bevel in the base of the cap. This is fine jewelry work, woodworking, and hair dressing all wrapped up in the same art. This bow was made by a skillful craftsman, one who had years of experience. This bow screams that it’s handmade. The increments of the stick are very nice from the head all the way to the frog. It is well thought out. It is a thinner bow with tons of strength. The maker could tell the wood was choice and made the stick graceful with the camber starting close to the head, dropping fast in the style of Sartory cambers. The wood is an orange/brown beautiful color with no flaws with the mortise cut with a chisel. The bow has strength, and it is better than a great playing stick. It is a Wow! This bow handles like a very expensive stick. It is a gem, a non-stamped or illegible bow. If this was branded with a maker’s name, it would surely go for more money.

Weight fully haired 57.0 grams.