William Henry Dow was born in Scotland in 1834 and moved to Australia in 1855 to work as a pattern maker at Langlands Port Phillip Foundry in Melbourne. Initially a hobby, he began making violins in his workshop in South Melbourne and received medals for his work at national exhibitions. After retiring from patternmaking, he devoted himself to creating instruments and made over 200 violins by his death in 1928. It is still being determined how many instruments Dow made, as he only started numbering them when he was satisfied with their quality. One of his violins is on display at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.
Please get in touch with Animato Strings on 07 3876 3877 if you want this violin.
This is an Old German Violin made probably in Germany in the mid 19th century. Repaired professionally by Animato Strings and is now in very good playing condition.
This violin was made in 1854 in Fermo, Italy by Andrea Postacchini, a skilled Italian luthier known for producing high-quality instruments with exceptional tonal quality.
This is the Konrad Kohlert Violin. Konrad Kohlert's violins, violas and cellos have been produced in his workshop since 1987, and are valued worldwide for their sound and craftsmanship.
Moretti Egidio transitioned from cabinetmaking to violin making in 1924-1928. During 1945-1955 in Lavagna, Genoa, his instruments were known for their accuracy and good varnish, with two different labels used - handwritten and printed.
This is a Charles Claudot Violin. The name Claudot was a popular clan of luthiers in France who have been making violins from the 16th up to the 20th century.
This violin is labelled "Antonius Vinaccia, Napoli in Via Constantinii, a. 1792" and shows evidence of being repaired in 1902. Antonio Vinaccia was a renowned instrument maker in Naples during the mid-18th to late 19th centuries. He was known for making violins in the style of Gagliano and exceptional mandolins. His craftsmanship is preserved in Naples's Museo Spagnuolo (Palazzo degli Studi). Antonio's sons, Gennaro and Gaetano, also became instrument makers.