A Bavarian Violin, Germany 1880’s.

Characteristically representative of Bavarian cottage industry, this modest German violin hails from Mittenwald and was crafted prior to The McKinley Tariff Act of 1891, which required the country of origin to be present on labels of violins. Digressing for a moment, the Act was revised in 1914 to additionally include “Made In.” Having said that, the country of origin was not specifically required to be written in English until a subsequent revision in 1921. The McKinley Act and its revisions are colloquially referred to as truth in labeling laws. Rather, the label in the belly of this violin attributes it to Stradivarius in 1721 without a country of origin or any specification that it is a ‘copy.’ 

Presenting in well preserved condition with only minor wear to speak of, commensurate with its age and speaking to how well it has been cared for by its owners, this violin features wood selection and antiquing typical to Mittenwald during the 1880’s.  Somewhat wide grained spruce for the top and demonstrating a steady hand in the execution of the f hole and concentric volutes of the scroll, it offers a golden brown ground beneath the famous Mittenwald red. At approximately 140 years of age, this Bavarian violin offers a competitive alternative to modern commercial competitors in its class.