Siegfried Finkel (1927-2010) studied with and worked for his father-in-law, Paul Weidhaas in Germany before emigrating to Brienz, Switzerland and establishing his own workshop in 1952.

There he trained his son Johannes Siegfried Finkel (b. 1947), who succeeded him in 1984 and trained the fourth generation of family bowmakers. Finkel has employed numerous makers of international repute and remained a pillar of the industry until his death in 2010, and is recognized for decades of the finest craftsmanship.

This beautiful gold and tortoise-shell violin bow with octagonal stick was made by Finkel in about 1955, long before his son joined the firm.  Because this bow has components made from tortoise-shell and whale baleen, this bow cannot be carried or shipped outside of the United States.  The purchaser of this bow should never travel internationally with this bow for fear of confiscation at any number of customs checkpoints.