Workshop Viola Bow Stamped A. Herrmann- Germany 1930-1940

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Stamped:

The craft of bow making had a long tradition in the Herrmann family that can be traced back to the mid-18th century. Edwin Herrmann learned his craft from his father Franz Albert Herrmann (1868-1960), who learned from his father Christian Friedrich Herrmann (1818-1896), and from the Knopf workshop in Markneukirchen where both the father and grandfather trained. Franz Albert, the father, opened a shop in Schönlind in 1893. Schönlind is southwest of Markneukirchen, the famous hub for apprentice work, master building for instruments, and all levels of bow work. Our workshop bow came from this region and just uses the Herrmann name. A famous name and a good selling point to market a bow.

We have gone over the bow, replacing nickel silver winding and the thumb leather. In the frog we replaced the mother-of-pearl slide. The bow is pernambuco, octagonal in section, and nickel mounted. The pernambuco is a dark orange/brown in color and the stick is semi-firm. The ebony frog has single 5.0 mm. pearl eyes, and the lining is secured to the frog with pin work, very nice. The heel is two pieces and pinned to the frog. The end button silver cap has no pins and features two turns in the collar. Good craftsmanship in a workshop bow. A very decent nickel mounted viola bow with age and good workmanship.

Weight fully haired 71.2 grams