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.
One of the best American bowmakers, Raguse has made over 1100 bows. He studied with Lloyd Liu and Bill Salchow before setting up on his own in Chicago, and later in Michigan. He has won a dozen awards at various competitions, including gold medal at the VSA in 1980. This bow is an excellent example of Raguse's work.
The Gagliano family of makers (14 in all) dominated violin making in Naples for almost two centuries, from about 1700 to 1886. Ferdinando trained with his uncle Gennaro, but his work shows the influence of both his father Nicolo and his uncle. This violin has exceptional tonal qualities, suitable for a top professional violinist.
Over the last 25 years the brothers Rezvani have made more than 500 violins, violas, and cellos. They began their studies in Iran with Ibrahim Ghambari Mehr, ex-student of the Parisian master, Etienne Vatelot, and later in Vienna with Johann Rombach. They continue perfecting their art as members of the Violin Society of America, working with such masters as Joseph Curtin. Now based in Los Angeles, they produce excellent instruments. Their work is very characteristic, resonant and sweet, easy to play, rich in tone color. We currently have 2 fine violas, both of which are quite responsive and represent a great value for the performing musician.
Highly respected for his work,Randy Steenburgen has won several gold medals at Violin Society of America (VSA) competitions, perhaps the most important in the world. This is a beautifully made bow, typical of his high level of craftsmanship.
Anders Halverson emigrated from Sweden to Chicago in 1924 to work for Lewis & Son, then moved to Nashville, Michigan two years later. He established a shop with William Meyers which became popular with musicians across the Midwest.
The Mougenot family of violin makers goes back to the 17th century. Léon worked with E.Laurent in Brussels, Blanchard in Lyon and W.E.Hill and Sons in London before establishing his own shop in Mirecourt in 1899. His work has always been highly respected for his very fine workmanship.
The Caussin workshop in Neufchâteau (near Mirecourt) produced excellent instruments from 1830 until the end of the 19th. Century. Over the years we have been able to offer a number of these fine and very interesting instruments.
Master violin maker Tschu Ho Lee has been the director of the Chicago School of Violin Making since 1980 and has taught a generation of violin makers, many of whom have become famous in their own right. Originally from Korea, Mr. Lee graduated from the Mittenwald violin making school and got his master’s certificate before coming to Chicago
Pisano (near Milan). We have several examples by this maker. See more detailed information.
Gustave Villaume was born in Mirecourt and studied with Mougenot and Jacquet Gand before going to Paris to work with Caressa & Français. After moving to Nancy, he won numerous awards for his work.
For 39 years Gerald Kagan was the assistant principal cellist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. He was also well known as a bow maker as well as a creator and designer of fine jewelry. This elegant cello bow is typical of the high degree of craftsmanship he had become well known for. The unusual slide is of pearl and engraved gold.
Bernard Ouchard was an important figure in the history of 20th century French bow making. He studied with his father, the great Emile Auguste, After service in the French military, he moved to Geneva as the bow maker for Vidoudez where he stayed for over 20 years. In 1971 he returned to his native France where he was the professor of bow making at the Mirecourt School of Lutherie. He taught many of the best French bow makers of the last 50 years. We’ve recently been very fortunate to have had several bows by this important maker.
Roger François Lotte studied with his father François, taking over his father’s workshop around 1960. He was very successful, supplying bows to dealers all over the world. This bow is unstamped, has a replacement frog, and is priced affordably.
After winning a number of gold medals in International bow making competitions, Morgan Andersen has become one of the most important bow makers of his generation.
Read the article on Morgan Andersen here.
A beautiful Weichold bow with an exotic wood frog and a distinctive three piece button.
Otto Paulus and his son Johannes worked together for many years, taking over the Schuster workshop in the 1950’s. The Paulus family of bow makers is today in its fourth generation, still making excellent bows in Markneukirchen.