A Good Canadian Viola By William Knaggs in Toronto, 1899. 16.”

William Knaggs was active as a violin maker in Toronto from approximately 1888 to 1920 and had a brother by the name of James who was a well known violinist. The latter of which passed in 1925. Knaggs was purported to have won a prize at the Paris Exhibition of 1900 but today, his instruments are far and few between. In 2014, one of his violins was offered at auction with an equivalent estimate of $3,500 - $5,000 but did not meet reserve. Prior to that, the last time one of his instruments made the auction circuit was 30 years ago, in 1994.

This 407mm or 16” viola was made by Williams Knaggs in Toronto in 1899, making it about 125 years in age. It presents in well preserved condition and readily offers insight into the quality for which Knaggs was well known in his era; demonstrating a powerful voice with a rich, woody character and a clean, silky quality in the upper registers.

Detailed Measurments:

Length of Back: 407mm.
Upper Bout: 195mm.
Lower Bout: 236mm.
Body Stop: 202mm.
String Length: 380mm or 15.”