Violin bow by Hermann Richard Pfretzschner, Markneukirchen, circa 1890

About Hermann Richard Pfretzschner

Hermann Richard Pfretzschner is considered to be one of the very best German bow makers. Part of a large family of instrument makers, he learnt bow making from his father before travelling to Paris to work for Jean Baptiste Vuillaume. Pfretzschner spent just one year with Vuillaume, 1874, before returning home to Germany. Vuillaume's fame and importance cannot be overstated: the year he spent working in the most important Parisian violin and bow shop undoubtedly had a large effect on the young Pfretzschner, refining his work and giving his name great prestige when returning to his native Germany. His work is particularly influenced by Voirin, one of many great bow makers in the Vuillaume workshop.

Pfretzschner established his own Markneukirchen workshop in 1880 and quickly became very successful. In 1901 he was given the honour of being the named purveyor to the Saxon court: after this date Pfretzschner bows bear the royal Saxonian crest on their frogs.

About the violin bow

This violin bow was made for the London firm Hawkes and Son, whose brand it bears. It is also branded 'Tourte': during the period, these Tourte model bows were made for the company by Pfretzschner.

The octagonal stick is made of extremely high-quality pernambuco and measures 728 mm in length. The mounts are silver and ebony.

The bow weighs 57 grams.

How does it play?

We've yet to find a Pfretzschner bow from this period that doesn't play brilliantly! It feels alive in the hand, with a sense of vibrant reactivity. The bow glues itself to the string when required, yet somehow produces a perfect ricochet straight away too.

Condition

The bow is in very good condition with some cosmetic damage to the ferrule.

More information

For more options, please view other violin bows in this price range.