Matthias Penzel, Sterling Silver Violin Bow – the Exquisit

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Branded: Matthias R. Penzel -with three stars *** on each side of the maker.
Branded: EXQUISIT – on the audience side

This commissioned bow was made for J.R. Judd Violins in 2021. It was completed in May of 2021 by Matthias R. Penzel who now heads the bow firm.
Over 100 years ago Emil Max Penzel, the great uncle to Matthias, founded the family business at Erlbach, Germany, which was a center for making musical instruments in Vogtland/Sachsen. Max’s early bows were based on French makers. Max’s designs have his name between two horizontal treble clefs. The next family member was Kurt Penzel and then his son Gerhard Penzel; we have bows in the shop from each. In 1974 Kurt Gerhard moved his home and the family business to Ostrach. Now Gerhard Penzel’s son Roland leads the commercial side of the business as well as the repair and restoration area while his son Matthias, who received his mater qualification at Nurnberg in 2008, concentrates on handmade and commissioned bows.
The wood in this bow is at least 30 years old, hand selected pernambuco from the graded storage areas the Penzel family has had for decades. It is octagonal in section and the ebony frog is mounted in sterling silver with a three-piece silver end screw. The frog has Parisian eyes and the Penzel treble clef logo on the frog. The frog is mounted in sterling silver with a silver bottom plate. The frog has the number 126 near the brass eye as well as branded under the frog. The tip is made of imitation ivory and the mother-of-pearl, a special green abalone from Mexico, jumps out in the eyes and slide of the frog.
The bow comes with a certificate of authenticity from the maker and already proven to be a favorite of mine. Gorgeous bow!

Weight fully haired 60.5 grams.