Markneukirchen c.1880 (GE050) - $8,500 Canadian

Markneukirchen c.1880 (GE050) - $8,500 Canadian

The German town of Markneukirchen and the surrounding Vogtland region (often called the "Music Corner") have a fascinating history:

The tradition began in the 1650s when Protestant luthiers fled religious persecution in Bohemia, with Caspar Hopf's family establishing violin making in nearby Klingenthal (1659) and a formal guild founded in Markneukirchen in 1677. Vogtland makers developed a distinctive "freeform" construction — building ribs directly onto the back without a mold — quite different from the Italian mold-based approach.

By the 19th century the region had industrialized through a cottage-industry model: families specialized in single components (scrolls, bellies, varnishing), with merchant-assemblers called ‘Fortschickers’ coordinating production for export. At its peak around 1900, Markneukirchen was reportedly Germany's wealthiest city per capita and even hosted a US Consulate (1893–1916) solely to handle instrument export paperwork.

The 20th century brought disruption: post-WWII expulsions relocated many Bohemian German speaking makers to Bubenreuth in West Germany, while Markneukirchen under the GDR was consolidated into the state cooperative VEB Musima. Since reunification the region has been revived, now home to a respected instrument-making college and the comprehensive Musikinstrumenten-Museum.

This is a quality cello from the golden area of Markneukirchen production. It is nicely made from good tone-woods and the finishing varnish is very attractive.

This cello has recently been worked on by a luthier; the neck has been reset and there are some repairs, mostly to the front, all of which are solid. The instrument is in top playing condition and is easy to play.

The sound is typical of German instruments of this era; on the darker side.

The length of back is 760mm, high resolution photos available on request.