Amati > Makers Archive > R > August Rau

August Rau

1866–1951

Bow maker. One of the best makers of the German school. Worked for W. Knopf and A. R. Weichold in Dresden. Established at Markneukirchen 1890-1939. Elegant head with best pernambuco sticks. — John Dilworth

Made Cello Bow, Viola Bow, Violin Bow

Auction Price History

Highest auction price

£2,465

44 results

Type Details Auction house Sold Price
Violin BowSilver mounted, round stick stamped Aug Rau, ebony frog with pearl eye, silver button Lot 147GardinerMarch 2025£2,013est. £ 1,200-1,800
Violin BowNickel mounted, octagonal stick stamped A. Rau** Lot 232Brompton'sJune 2020£408est. £ 300-400
Violin BowS/E 57.0 g. Probably byDecember 2011£696
Violin BowS/E 65.0 g.July 2010£462
Violin BowS/E 61.0 g.July 2010£731
Violin BowS/E 58 g. (later button)June 2010£720
Viola BowG/E 57.5 g.April 2010£2,465
Violin BowS/E 50 g. without hairApril 2010£691
Cello BowS/E 79.0 g.October 2009£1,200
Violin BowS/E 60 g.October 2009£667
Violin BowS/E 56 g.March 2009£358
Violin BowS/E 54 g. Markneukirchen, 1935 c.November 2008£698
Violin BowS/E 65 g. Markneukirchen, 1950 c.November 2008£1,197
Violin BowS/T 62 g. Markneukirchen, 1950 c.November 2008£798
Violin BowS/E 57 g. Markneukirchen, 1950 c.November 2008£898
Violin BowS/I 66 g. 1950 c.November 2008£998
Violin BowS/E 54 g. Germany, 1900 c. no hair or wrappingNovember 2008£741
Violin BowG/T 58.0 g. (pin crack behind head)October 2007£742
Violin BowS/E 55 g. (with baleen wrap)May 2007£1,120
Violin BowG/T 60.0 g. 1900 c.November 2006£1,654
Violin BowG/E 60.9 g. Germany, 1925 c. Stamped "F.N. Voirin" Attributed toOctober 2006£1,035
Violin BowS/I 64 g.November 2005£553
Violin BowS/E 59 g.May 2005£1,310
Violin BowS/E 60 g.May 2005£936
Violin BowS/E 58 g.May 2005£484
Violin BowN/EMay 2005£404
Violin BowS/E 56.5 g. with tinsel lappingMay 2005£733
Violin BowS/E 64 g. (later adjustor)April 2005£376
Violin BowS/E 58.3 g.July 2004£597
Violin BowN/E 58 g.November 2001£500
Violin BowS/E 56 g.May 2001£986
Violin BowG/T 52 g.May 2000£1,450
Violin BowS/E 63 g.November 1999£600
Violin BowS/E 63 g.November 1999£500
Violin BowS/E 56 g.June 1999£218
Violin BowG/E 57 g.March 1999£1,035
Violin BowS/E 51 g.March 1999£230
Violin BowG/E 54 g.March 1998£575
Cello BowS/E 77 g.November 1992£791
Viola BowS/E 68 g.June 1991£711
Violin BowS/E 59 g.March 1990£198
Violin BowS/E 57 g.March 1990£660
Cello BowN/E 76 g.March 1989£418
Cello BowS/E 76 g.September 1988£330

Biographies

The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:

John Dilworth+

RAU, August Born 1866 Siebenbrunn, Markneukirchen, died 1951 Markneukirchen Germany. Bow maker. One of the best makers of the German school. Worked for W. Knopf and A. R. Weichold in Dresden. Established at Markneukirchen 1890-1939. Elegant head with best pernambuco sticks.

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+

Er lernte von 1880—1884 das Bogenmachen und setzte seine Studien noch als Gehilfe fleissig fort, so dass er bei Wilhelm Knopf in Dresden Aufnahme fand, wo er sich zu einem vollkommenen Künstler in seinem Fache ausbilden konnte. Im Jahre 1890 eröffnete Rau in Markneukirchen seine eigene Werkstatt. Da er zur Herstellung seiner Bögen nur das allerbeste Material verwendet, eine seltene Handfertigkeit besitzt und ein genauer Kenner der Tourte’schen Schule ist, verstand er es bald, sich in Musikerkreisen einen grossen Ruf zu verschaffen, und darf heute als der weitaus tüchtigste Bogenmacher Markneukirchens betrachtet werden. Auch seine Violoncellobogen sind sehr gelobt worden. Seine Bögen kommen jetzt den besten französischen gleich.

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