Small antique Mittenwald viola, Hornsteiner, c.1830 - 37.9 cm

Rare small viola from Mittenwald, Hornsteiner school/family c.1830

With traces of time, this is a rare small Mittenwald viola (38 cm) in outstanding condition; it was built early in the 19th century keeping with traditional Mittenwald craftsmanship. The beautiful grain of its medium grained spruce top and the mildly flamed, two-piece maple back have a luminous red-brown varnish on a golden ground that has developed a good patina. Subtle details such as the precisely carved sound holes, the delicate edgework and the accurate purfling were cleanly executed and are typical of the early Hornsteiner school. The viola has no cracks and was professionally reworked in our atelier. The sound is of surprising power, outstanding at the size - full of character, matured, precise and balanced.