H. R. Pfretzschner, 1920-1930

Round stick of pernambuco, ebony frog with pearl eye, silver mounting, original 3-part screw, wrapping and face plate is later. Typical example made from exceptional material. The bow is in great condition without any damage, except somewhat crumpled ferrule. Weight 61,5g.

Branded H. R. PFRETZSCHNER on the stick and the king’s coat of arms on the frog.

Hermann Richard Pfretzschner (1857-1921) learned from his father Carl Richard. In 1873 he became the last pupil of J. B. Vuillaume (1798-1875) in Paris. Then founded his own company in Markneukirchen 1880. In 1901 he received the title “Königlich Sächsischer Hoflieferant” (purveyor to the court of Saxony) and thus was allowed to stamp the king’s coat of arms on the frogs of his bows. 1911 he also received the title “Großherzoglich Sächsischer Hoflieferant” from the Grand Duke of Weimar. He was one of few German bowmakers who earned, beside the French ones, a world wide recognition. The bows from before 1900 usually show the influence of Voirin. Later he followed all usual models without, however, losing his own style. Some models he developed by himeslf. For exhample the so called Wilhelmj-model, completed 1903 in cooperation with the famous violinplayer Prof. August Wilhelmj (1845-1908).

In the year 1914 he passed his firm to his two sons Hermann (1876-1958) and Berthold (1889-1983). Remarkable amount of bows of various quality and pricecategories was produced at that time.

After the death of Hermann in 1958, Horst Pfretzschner (1914-1989), the son of Berthold, took over the company. After the more and more difficult development for independent trade in the former eastern Germany DDR, Horst was forced to put his company in the PGH Sinfonia, a factory led by the state. This organisation turned over to the VEB Sinfonia (Volkseigener Betrieb) in 1972 and in 1985 was integrated to VEB Musima (Musikinstrumentenbau Markneukirchen). 1990-2004 this company still existed as Musima GmbH.

Today the tradition is continued by Horst’s son Heinz (*1941) and his son René (*1966).