Markneukirchen cello, circa 1850

The elegant influences of unmistakably Italian style define the appearance of this fine Markneukirchen cello, which was made by an unknown luthier in Markneukirchen around the middle of the 19th century. The beautifully carved scroll in particular is clearly inspired by other instruments hailing from the "cradle of violinmaking". The tone woods the luthier chose — especially the delicately flamed maple of the two-part back — and the highly transparent golden-brown varnish all contribute to the Markneukirchen cello's harmonious general appearance. In keeping with its advanced age, there are signs which indicate how much the cello's previous owners clearly enjoyed and appreciated playing it. There is also a well-developed patina and minor repairs at the scroll, peg box, ribs and top. None of these spots, however, are located within the critical area that affects the cello's voice. The specialists at our atelier set up this instrument with their customary precision, and in doing so, they conclusively determined that all of the repairs were done professionally and have no impact on the sound. Sophisticated musicians will appreciate the cello's nuanced and bright, strong voice, which is marked by a pleasant warmth, resonance and rich timbre.