A 15.5" German-made viola, suitable for an intermediate-advanced player, The viola speaks well and has a nice tone.

The insurance vaulation by Woodbridge Violins, when I bought the viola from them in 2000, states that it is a "handmade viola, circa 1880" and that "it consists of a two piece back with descending figure. The front is of fine grain." The condition (unchanged since this assessment) is deemed "excellent".

The viola is strung with Dominant strings, and comes in a vintage wooden case that might need to be replaced for easer of transport.

The internal label reads: 'Henrich Shimansky, Berlin O. Frankfurter Allee No.100, Atelier für Kunstgeigen, Cellobau und erparatur sowie finster Künstler-Bogen [workshop for quality vilins, cello-making and repairs, and also fine quality bows]'. I haven't been able to find out much about this maker, but one of his violins is in the Musical Instrument Museum of the University of Leipzig. www.mimo-db.eu/MIMO/infodoc/ged/view.aspx?eid=OAI_ULEI_M0004379.

More photos can be supplied on request. I am located in Reading, but travel periodically into London and across the M25(N) corridor into East Anglia