Albert Nürnberger

The ‘Albert Nürnberger’ brand was used by several members of the large Nürnberger family of bow makers working in Markneukirchen from the mid-19th century. Franz Albert, b.1826-d.1894) was already the fifth generation, the son of Christian Gottlob, and was the founder of the Markneukirchen Bow makers’ Guild in 1888. His work is generally on a Tourte model.

He was succeeded by his son and pupil Franz Albert (II), one of the best German bow makers. Born in 1854, he broadened the scope and range of his father’s output, working to Voirin and Tubbs models alongside the familiar Tourte patterns. Highly successful, he supplied bows to the Weichold and Hammig shops in Germany, as well as exporting to Wurlitzer in America. He introduced the brand Albert Nürnberger to his own bows in about 1890, and won many awards at competitions and exhibitions.

The brand was continued in use by his son Carl Albert (b.1885-d.1971). Trained in the family workshop alongside his brother Philipp Paul, he is generally considered to have been the most distinguished craftsman of the family.

He was in turn succeeded by his son Carl Albert (b.1885-d.1971), and his grandson Christian Albert, who continued the family tradition and the ‘Albert Nürnberger’ brand.