This Cello I bought privately about 13 years ago. I always thought of getting into playing the Cello, but I just stayed with playing the Violin. Adrian Studer, a Swiss Violin maker in Nelson inspected it first, repaired a few cracks and splits, and put in a new bass bar. He knew straight away when he saw it that it was an old instrument from Saxony Germany from around 1830/1850. That was also the time when a lot of cellos had the purfling painted on instead of inlay. The fingerboard is made from Pearwood. The pegs are still original and the end pin-holding device is made from brass. The pin is new. I just added photos from the repair work in 2013 (April) and the new bass bar. I don't think there are many of these kinds of instruments around, especially in New Zealand. Also, the Cello is slightly smaller than full size. I believe it's a 7/8 size. A unique instrument indeed. But, it's not a Strad or a very high-end quality instrument as you can see. It's old and sounds sweet when one of our cellists in Nelson played Bach on it for me. The Cello comes with a new bow (nothing fancy) some famous Liebenzeller Rosin and a spare set of Dominant strings (from 2002). I will also include the Ritter soft case with the cello. It will be handy when it has to be sent. But certainly prefer that you pick up.