Although not listed in the important violin making dictionaries, Wilhelm Merz no doubt was part of the larger Merz family which variously operated in Saxony, Thuringia and Vienna. A calculated guess would be that he was a son of the maker August Merz (1851 - 1910), a respected violinmaker appointed to the Royal Court, and that Wilhelm probably learnt his craft from his father. The handwritten label indicates that the violin was made in 1923 in Fleissen, but the exact location of Fleissen cannot be determined. It presumably is in Germany.

Workmanship on this violin throughout is very good. It appears to be loosely based on the Amati model. The varnish is oil-based and of a good quality. The choice of materials is good: the two-piece back and ribs seem to be of the same wood - nicely figured maple with a medium curl. The top is of medium grain tone-spruce with an exceptionally clear 'bear's claw' figure in the wood - a type of cross grain or cross flame that naturally occurs in some trees, resembling the scratch marks of a bear drawing its claws across the tree. The scroll in this violin is exceptionally nicely cut - balanced, poised and with much refinement and elegance. The purfling and cornerwork is very good.

This violin is well-toned, with focus and projection.

Dimensions :
	Length of back: 36.0 cm

Condition :
	Excellent condition. A minor lower saddle crack (4 cm, on the treble side) has been repaired. The neck was loose and was recently reset and all is perfectly secure. The pegs are new and setup is recent. This violin is completely free from other observable cracks or repairs.

Provenance :
	Withheld

Price :

P.O.A.