A Beautiful German Violin, Last Quarter 19th Century.

Immediately eye catching, the one piece back features a beautiful selection of maple with a tight irregular flame that inspires a tremendous sense of depth and enhances the appearance of the arching. Somewhat plainer but still similar selection for the ribs and headstock, with a petite, well defined scroll with tighter concentric volutes and a rounded eye which lend the forehead an elongated appearance, hearkening to a style of making generations earlier. Flat channeling into sharply rounded edge work that becomes more deliberately accentuated through the c bout and into the corners with the purfling set close in a manner that naturally evokes an air of precision. The f holes, symmetric and slightly elongated with more narrow flares to the wings, set into well selected spruce of even medium-tight grain for the top. Altogether, brilliantly demonstrating the outstanding quality that German trade work could achieve at the peak of the last quarter 19th century. This violin, most likely between 1880 and 1890. Outfitted with new pegs, a decorated tailpiece and antique wooden chinrest with Dominant strings, it presents in mint condition, less some surface scuffs and wear to the treble shoulder bout consistent with heavy but well maintained use and its age. Not to speak of the artistic shading and carefully considered antiquing of deepening browns over a dulcet golden ground; offering a brilliant, colorful and delightfully flexible voice that is sure to please any demanding musician at the price point.