Karl Meisel Pernambuco Cello Bow – Germany circa 1975

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Stamped:

The Meisel family dates to the 18th century with violin makers Friedrich Wilhelm Meisel (1769-1799) and Johann Georg Meisel (1745-1805). They were from Klingenthal in the Saxony region and the family of makers were known for their woodworking gifts. Other family members Christian Friedrich Meisel (1791-1850) and Carl Louis Meisel (1847-1917) also made a mark in the trade later in the 19th century. Carl Louis is known to have made his first violin at age 12 with no assistance from his father. Good artisan genes. Springing forward to 1975 and we find a bow stamped Karl Meisel. It is a commercial cello bow made for the string industry trade. The stick borrows a well-respected name though I have no information about this particular maker.

It is an excellent cello bow made with German detail in octagonal section and mounted in nickel silver. The winding, frog, and end screw are original to the bow. The stick is older growth, tight grain pernambuco with well thought out increments. The octagonal cut helps create a firm stick and a strong camber. I cut a new facial at the tip in casein material and it is the only part that is not original to the bow. The frog is ebony with a Parisian eye look. The eyes around the pearl are 2.0 mm wide, and the pearl slide is encased in nickel. This extra work is not usually done on a trade bow. The maker took his craftsmanship up a couple notches as even the frog shows pin work on the heel and in the lining. The bow is in very good condition and is easy to handle. Firm stick, German workmanship, older pernambuco wood, well made.

Weight fully haired 82.1 grams