Like so many French makers, Delivet apprenticed in Mirecourt. After working there with Victor Rambaux, he moved to Paris working with H.C.Silvestre. He opened his own shop in Paris in 1892. His work was highly regarded and he won numerous gold medals in major exhibitions. In 1918 he emigrated to Canada working in Toronto and Montreal. This violin has a nice brilliant and responsive tone.
Etienne Pajeot is considered one of the most important and respected bow makers of the 19th Century even though he never left Mirecourt for Paris. He was trained by his father Louis Simon and started making bows on his own around 1815. This unusually fine bow is a fine example of Pajeot’s work and has a gold mounted ivory frog with a distinctive button with pearl facets. It is certified by Issac Salchow of New York.
One of the most important dynasties of German violin making was the Klotz family of Markneukirchen. Matthias I was born in Markneukirchen in 1653 and was the first maker of the family with the family tradition continuing well into the 20th. century. This viola dates from the 18th century and is of the classic Klotz family style. It has an outstanding tone and is of a very comfortable size.
Born in England, Michael Scoggins started playing the violin at the age of eight. He studied violin performance in college. After emigrating to America, he studied violin making at the Salt Lake school graduating in 1982. He worked for Peter Prier managing his shop until 1984. He then set up his own workshop in Salt Lake. This viola has a wonderful, powerful tone. The back is of poplar which he frequently used.
The firm of Gand & Bernardel Frères was formed by Charles Nicolas Gand and Ernest Bernardel in 1866 and became one of the most important violin firms in the World. This beautiful violin is a fine example of their work and has a brilliant, direct tone quality.
This beautiful bow is an unusually fine example of Morizot’s work and is of the highest level of quality coming from the Morizot workshop. Louis Morizot actually worked with Sartory in Paris for some time. Included is a certificate of authenticity from Paul Childs.
Steve Lohmann studied at the Cremona violin making school and returned to San Francisco, where he worked with Frank Passa then with Boyd Poulsen in San Mateo and Carl Applebaum in Olympia, Washington. He set up his own workshop in Sacramento in 1992. This is an excellent example of Steve’s early work.
After training in Mirecourt, Hidalgo Moya established his workshop in Aylestone, England in 1890. His work has always been highly regarded for his fine craftsmanship and tone qualities.
Born in 1967, Maurizio worked with his grandfather Carlo Pizzamaglio then graduated from The Cremona School of Violin Making in 1985. He has gone on to win many awards and medals at international competitions. This is an interesting example of his early work and has a certificate from Chris Reuning.
Andrus Faruolo descends from a family of instrument makers in Italy. His work is well known on the East Coast, For many years he was the Luthier in residence at the Meadowmount School of Music in New York, with letters of recognition from faculty members like Josef Gingold.
This fine cello bow is the work of both Joseph Arthur (Père) and André (Fils) Vigneron. This bow is fully certified by Jean-François Raffin.
Since joining Ifshin Violins in 1986, Haide has one become one of the most respected violin makers in this country. Over the years Haide has won 19 medals and certificates of merit at Violin Society of America competitions. This beautiful cello won a certificate of merit for tone at the 2016 VSA competition. As one would expect, this prize winning cello has a superb tone.
Christopher White studied violin making at the North Bennett Street School in Boston with Ray Melanson. Art Toman and Marilyn Wallin. He went on to work with Samuel Zygmuntowicz and William Monical. He has been a member of the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers for twenty years and is on its board of governors.
Charles Bazin was the last member of the great Bazin bow making dynasty. Unlike the previous generation he worked primarily by himself preferring to work with individual clients rather than wholesalers and dealers. This unusually fine gold mounted viola bow is a classic example of his fine work and is facile, strong with a quick response.
After serving his apprenticeship with Cuniot-Hury, François worked in Geneva with Vidoudez before joining Emile F. Ouchard’s workshop. He set up on his own in 1926, retiring in 1960. This bow is accompanied by a Le Canu certificate.
Michael Vann started his career with William Salchow in New York, like a number of today’s best makers. His bows are in the hands of many of today’s top string players. In addition, he has won medals at several major competitions.
The Morizot workshop was founded by Louis Morizot (père) in 1926 and continued on by his six sons. This Morizot viola bow has a strong lively stick producing a great sound.