Violin by Ernest Kohler & Son, Edinburgh, circa 1900
This violin has now sold.
About Ernest Kohler
The Kohler family were an important part of the Edinburgh music scene for more than 130 years. Ernest Kohler himself appears to have arrived in Edinburgh around 1823, setting up his own workshop in the city. The Kohler firm grew successfully over the next two decades and was then inherited by his son Philip.
The firm grew to become an Edinburgh institution which made, imported and sold musical instruments as well as continuing to publish a great deal of music. Ernest Kohler & Son traded up until 1952.
About the violin
The violin was made around 1900 and is modelled after the instruments of Guarneri del Gesu.
The violin has a beautiful one piece back of attractively-flamed maple. The ribs and scroll are of more widely-flamed maple. The front is two pieces of medium-grained spruce. The varnish is a golden brown colour: the varnish on the front is unoriginal.
The violin has a length of back of 359 mm.
How does it sound?
This is a happy sounding violin with a distinctly vintage tone. It’s even across the strings and responds quickly. It feels quite neat to play and speaks immediately but with a more rounded tone that one often finds on a highly responsive violin.
Condition
The violin is in very good condition, however the font has been revarnished. It bears its original label and is branded beneath the button.