Frank Sindelar (1879 – 1952) emigrated from Czechoslovakia at the age of 18.  He worked at Lyon and Healy under John Hornsteiner and worked closely with Carl G. Becker there. This viola shows the influence that Hornsteiner had on development of the varnishes of both these apprentices. He was a pioneer in early steel string development that was key to keeping string playing through World War 2 and the devastation of the string factories in Germany.

The viola measures 15-3/4″