This 15 ½” unlabelled viola is of German trade origin, Saxon school. We have dated it conservatively at around 1930 although it could be older. ‘Saxon school’ is a term that encompasses a large area of north eastern Germany and there were a number of violin making centres which produced a wide range of instrument qualities to suit all levels of players.

This is a really great sounding small bodied viola; the back plate is of two pieces of narrow, regularly flamed maple with the figure descending from the centre joint, the ribs and head are similar; the top plate of two pieces of spruce of medium/wide grain lines; the varnish of a light gold with the application of a ‘widow’s veil’ to cool the colour down a little.

It is set up to our ‘Master’ level with Evah Pirazzi strings.  A great sounding viola in fantastic condition, at a comfortable size and a reasonable price, what more could the advancing violist ask for?