H.R. Pfretzschner Fine Workshop Violin Bow – Markneukirchen circa 1920-1930 – Excellent Stick!

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Pfretzschner is one of the most prevalent names in German instrument and bow making. The Pfretzschner luthier family can be traced back to the early 1700’s in Markneukirchen, one of the important centers of German violin and bow making. Although numerous instrument-building families shared the surname, many were unrelated. By the end of the 19th century, the famous Pfretzschner dynasty of bow makers was well established and would succeed in raising the level of German bow making to rival the best French makers of the period. This was largely due to the work of Hermann Richard Pfretzschner (1857-1921) who spent time in Paris (1871-1875) to work and study with J.B. Vuillaume who recognized the young man’s skill. H.R. Pfretzschner was a pioneer of French style bow making in Germany and created new standards in the industry. After Villaume’s death in 1875 H.R. returned to the family business, eventually establishing his own shop in Markneukirchen in 1880. His shop supplied many unstamped and stamped bows made in the French style to German firms and to the finest shops in London, Paris, and New York.

This is a fine bow made in the family firm’s Markneukirchen workshop under the leadership of Richard Herman Pfretzschner (1876-1958). Hermann learned bow making from his father and worked in his father’s shop his whole life. According to family members and others of his time, he was responsible for new developments in tools and machines in the shop and even a self-rehairing bow called the “Monopol,” but the bow wasn’t able to gain acceptance in the violin world. In 1914 Hermann took over his father’s firm with his brother Berthold. They worked on optimizing the workshop and expanded the business. At any given time, the Pfretzschner shop employed 6-7 workers.

We have meticulously gone over the bow and replaced the tip facial in bone and the original sterling silver winding with the same gauge and length of silver. We have also cut a new thumb leather. The frog and stick are original and in great condition. The ebony frog has single mother-of-pearl eyes. The pernambuco stick is round in section and has beautiful color, with the typical yellow/white fleck visible throughout the grain. An excellent playing bow, easy to control from one of the great German bow making firms.

Weight fully haired 61.1 grams