Louis Lowendall ‘Maggini’, Dresden c.1880 (GE045) - $9,995 Canadian

Louis Lowendall ‘Maggini’, Dresden c.1880 (GE045) - $9,995 Canadian

This gorgeous instrument was made in the Dresden workshop of Louis Lowendall (1836 – c.1900). It has just undergone a full restoration.

Lowendall trained under Ludwig Bausch in Leipzig and Heinrich Knopf in Berlin before branching out with his own with a factory in Berlin in 1855. He anglicized his name from Löwenthal to Lowendall to help with sales in the US, where he built up solid business selling tone woods, antique instruments and new ones from his factory in Berlin, along with others made in the Vogtland region. In 1873 he opened a second location in Dresden employing skilled crafts people from nearby Markneukirchen, it is there where this striking cello was made. The company had a reputation for quality and won awards for their work in London and Bologna.

This cello is modeled after the best known maker of the Italian Brescian school; Giovanni Paolo Maggini (1580 – c. 1630). It has characteristic double purfling on the front and back and an extra turn in the scroll, both features of Maggini’s work. Maggini copies from Lowendall are rare and this one is particularly beautiful.

Unfortunately the cello suffered damage during shipping but has been fully restored by a seasoned luthier specializing in restoration work. This luthier did a marvelous job; the work is top notch and the cello is in excellent playing condition.

It is fitted with Larsen bass and Evah Pirazzai treble strings, geared pegs, a Wittner tailpiece and a carbon fiber endpin. It is a delight to play; it speaks easily and has a bright clear sound.

The length of back is 750mm, high resolution photos available on request.