Truly, the Pretzschner name is one of the most respected and recognized names in bow making, representing a dynasty spanning generations. The family atelier was established at historic Markneukirchen in 1880 with H.R Pfretzschner (b. 1856, d. 1921) pioneering French bow making in Germany. H.R. was one of Vuillaumes’s last proteges having worked with him in 1874. He was additionally influenced by the methods and models of Tourte and Voirin. In 1901, the King of Saxony bestowed the honor of allowing the Pfretzschner family to brand bows with the Saxony Royal Coat of Arms. The placement of the brand on the frog attributes the bow to earlier work of the Pfretzschner family most likely the work of Berthold Pfretzschner in the 1920’s. Imagine immersing yourself into a pool of water with the sun’s rays illuminating the colors of the water at various depths-turquiose, emerald green, deep blue, rich teal—the bow creates a kindred sound palette. A subtle nudge of the bow hand yields crystalline sautille and you can prowl about the strings quickly finding the sound your music yearns for. The octagonal stick rewards you with confident and reliable control at the tip, middle, and frog. Come explore your new viola voice.