Old Mittenwald cello from the Eugen Gärtner collection

Amongst the most highly regarded ateliers of the late 19th and early 20th century, the Stuttgart workshop of Dr. h. c. Eugen Gärtner, an artisan luthier and purveyor to the court, deserves special mention. He established a good name for himself not only with the pieces he crafted but also with the outstanding contemporary instruments he acquired and then sold under his label, which continues to enjoy an excellent reputation to this day. This Mittenwald cello dates back to around 1900 and has been maintained in very good condition with no cracks; like many Gärtner instruments, it hails from the Bavarian violin-making town of Mittenwald,, whose tradition had an unmistakable influence on its craftsmanship. One typical Mittenwald characteristic is the thin coat of a very attractive and beautifully aged orange-brown varnish over light-coloured wood. The varnish shows a few expressive traces of use but has kept its beautiful lustre. The large scroll of this Mittenwald cello is full of character, and the tone woods are of premium quality: both bear witness to the experience of the luthier who made this cello, who refrained from stating his own name so he could use the original Eugen Gärtner label and brandmark instead. The Mittenwald cello was meticulously set up at our atelier for restoration and is now ready to play. We heartily recommend it because of its warm, intimate and well-balanced sound and radiant upper registers.

 

 

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