Magnificently ornamented viola bow from the Knopf workshop circa 1880

No expense was too great for the lovingly crafted and extravagant fittings of this rare viola bow ― and it was truly worth the effort, given its outstanding playing and acoustic properties, its beautiful nickel-silver and mother-of-pearl frog, and many other tasteful details. 

This viola bow from the highly regarded Knopf workshop in Markneukirchen is an exquisitely decorated rarity; it is an utterly inimitable example of the zenith of bow making, and not only because of its elaborate ornamentation. In its orientation towards the Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume model, the viola bow is a successful interpretation of the French tradition which continues to prevail in today's bow making. The round stick of dark reddish-brown is the painstaking work of a well-trained and experienced master who produced a wonderfully balanced 67.7 g viola bow with a well-centred balance point and a multi-facetted and warm yet bright sound. Thanks to its excellent playing and acoustic properties, the bow is truly worthy of its lavish ornamentation, of which the most striking is the frog with its superb greenish-blue abalone inlays and nickel silver fittings. The top-quality nickel-silver head plate and abalone inlays on the pear-shaped button round out the aesthetic of this viola bow in a very tasteful manner. Bow maker and expert Christian Hans-Karl Schmidt's appraisal, which is only available as a photocopy, confirms the provenance of this unique bow which has been kept in perfect condition. The specialists at our workshop have set it up and made it ready to play.