Lot number 2812 - Auction 160
VIOLA ARTHUR BAY 'MODELL KARL WEIDLER'

VIOLA BY ARTHUR BAY - 'KARL WEIDLER MODEL' Hamburg, 1982 One-piece spruce top and maple back, diamond-shaped pegbox finial, S-shaped soundholes, light brown-orange varnish; includes case. 4/4 viola; total length 66 cm, body length 40.1 cm. Viola label: "Arthur Bay, Hamburg 1982, Modell K. Weidler, Nürnberg". A high-quality master viola, crafted in 1982 by Arthur Bay in Hamburg based on a model by the Nuremberg master violin maker Karl Weidler. The instrument was commissioned by the current owner's grandfather. The distinctive design of the pegbox-featuring a carved, polygonal finial instead of the traditional scroll-gives the viola a unique appearance. Karl Weidler (1896-1980) established his workshop in Nuremberg following training that included an apprenticeship with Franz Thomastik in Vienna, and he earned an outstanding reputation for violins and violas with well-balanced tonal qualities. Min. bumped, rest. Provenance: Commissioned in 1982 by the current owner's grandfather; held in the family ever since - private collection, North Rhine-Westphalia.