Alfred Knoll, German viola bow

This Alfred Knoll viola bow is a top-quality silver mounted viola bow from the esteemed workshop of the Knoll family in the Bavarian village of Oberprex. Alfred Knoll founded the workshop in 1932, and this viola bow was crafted there in the 1980s, shortly after Hartmut Knoll took over from his father. The viola bow reflects an important period in the history of the workshop, which is now being managed by Gerald Knoll, the founder's grandson. With its flawless craftsmanship and outstanding musical properties, this viola bow is an excellent example of the high standards the Knolls achieved in some 50 years of successful artisanry – both in terms of the mature artisanal expertise of the workshop's masters and employees and of the carefully chosen selection of the finest mature woods. At a glance, the octagonal stick of light-brown pernambuco reflects the superior quality of this Alfred Knoll viola bow, whose exquisite material properties were translated into rarely-encountered playing properties by a magnificently trained and experienced hand. Thanks to its dynamic character, the viola bow can withstand great pressure whilst also maintaining its activity, making it particularly ideal for playing instruments that have tender notes in their voices and giving them clarity in their sound, size and precision. The viola bow's balance point feels well-centred and tends slightly towards the upper half, measuring at 25.7 cm of the total length of 74.2 cm. With its restrained ornamentation, magnificent silver mounting and an ebony frog with a mother-of-pearl eye, this Alfred Knoll viola bow featuring its original Alfred Knoll brand mark has earned our special recommendation. We have meticulously set the viola bow up at our workshop and made it ready to play.