Old cello by Bruno Franz Paulus, Mittenwald, circa 1960

All of the merits of the violin making traditions from Mittenwald, Germany and Schönbach (Luby) come together in this Bruno Franz Paulus cello, which he created a few years after being dispelled from Bohemia.

An excellent example of the traditional art of Mittenwald violin making, this cello was crafted by Bruno Franz Paulus in the early post-war years after he was displaced from the Bohemian village of Schönbach (now Luby, Czechia). This cello reflects the outstanding training Paulus received as a journeyman under Michael Buchner and a master student at the esteemed violin making school in Schönbach while also revealing how quickly he adapted the Mittenwald style, which he successfully interpreted not only in the confident way he worked with the typical woods of the Karwendel region. The evenly grained spruce and the tight flames of the sycamore maple used for the two-piece back show their exceptionally lovely lines with radiant clarity thanks to a classic Mittenwald feature, thin coat of orange-brown varnish. With a minor repair to the rib, this cello is in outstanding condition and was carefully set up at our workshop and made ready to play. Thanks to its excellent playing properties, this cello will satisfy the high standards of talented musicians with its clear, mature and powerful voice full of timbre.