George Gemünder violin, fecit Astoria, 1891 | Metzler Violins

resonant, warm, versatile

About the Instrument

This violin has a powerful lower register, with a warm tone overall, making it for a lovely and versatile instrument. The violin’s varnish shades from apricot to gold with a single-piece back. There are delicate, narrow flames on the back and ribs. The scroll is accented with blackened chamfers. Because Gemünder suffered a debilitating stroke in 1889, this violin was made or completed by his sons who were trained under their father in his workshop. This violin is in excellent condition.

Interior label reads: “George Gemünder fecit, Astoria, L.I., Anno 1891 IHS”
Length: 354mm
Upper Bouts: 164mm
Middle: 116mm
Lower Bouts: 207mm

About the Maker

Younger bother of August Gemünder, George Gemünder (1816-1899) was born in Ingelfingen in and worked in Vuillaume’s Paris workshop before moving to New York to work with his brother August. Gemünder soon established his own workshop in Astoria, New York, and quickly earned a reputation as “America’s greatest maker” for his astute imitations of Stradivarius and Guarneri violins. The virtuoso August Willhelmj played on a Gemünder, citing it as his preference over his Stradivarius. Gemünder received accolades at the Centennial Exposition and European Exhibitions. His faithfulness to quality of tone and high craftsmanship of various woods and varnishes make him one of the nation’s most notable violin makers.