Carl Friedrich Pfretzschner I, violin, 1784, Carl Friedrich Pfretzschner I (German, 1743-1798), with partially worn dated label inside, mother-of-pearl inlaid bow stamped "Tourte", 3 wood bridges (one marked "Flechter, New York"), in velvet-lined wood case, 14.5"l x 8"w (body), 23"l (incl. neck), 29.25"l (bow), 31"l x 9.5"w x 5"d (case)

Provenance: A Private Collection: 2 Tudor City Place, New York

Notes/Literature: Carl Friedrich I, together with other Markneukirchen masters, founded the string makers' guild for the area of Electoral Saxony and was one of its masters and later headmaster. At his death in 1798, the church register calls him "citizen and foreman of the string makers, as well as master violin maker". Experts speak of his violins as "magnificent works of German violin making with the most personal ingenuity peculiar to the old Vogtland school of violin making."

Fair, back panel separating near neck and along center of sides, center seam starting to split, front panel edges worn along right side, wear and scratches to finish, shows age and use; bow appears straight and unwarped; case with wear consistent with age and handling **Condition reports are rendered as specialist opinion by the staff of the Auction House and not as statements of fact. We do not guarantee the content of written or verbal condition reports. The absence of a condition report does not imply that there are no condition issues with the lot. Please call us at (973) 377-1500 or e-mail info@milleabros.com with any questions about this lot at least 24 hours prior to auction.