Description

This violin was made by John Friedrich in New York, New York in 1903. Friedrich was born in Kassel, Germany in 1858 and studied violin making from 1875-1883 in Kassel, Stuttgart, Leipzig. He later studied in Berlin with Otto Möckel, a well-known master and authority of his time. Friedrich immigrated to New York in 1883, establishing with his brother William the firm of John Friedrich & Bros. His work was highly regarded and he won the highest award for his exhibit at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893 and at the St. Louis World’s Exposition in 1904. This violin top was made of meticulously-chosen, finely-grained spruce, and the one-piece back consists of excellent maple with gentle flaming. The luminous golden-brown varnish with antiqueings completes the antique appearance of this violin.It has only commonplace traces of use, and some uncritical restoration, excellently and solidly performed which in no way affects the sound. Its voice blends a flute-like, warm, mature character with magnificent resonance and strength.