William Henry Dow was born in 1835 in Tayport, a small village on the Fifth of May on the east coast of Scotland. He immigrated to Australia in 1854 and set up a violinmaking business in South Melbourne. Considered to be one of the best violinmakers of his time and also one of the most prolific, (He made approximately 250 instruments - violins, violas and cellos.), Dow produced neat, attractive instruments. He won first prize at the Melbourne International Exhibitions in 1875, 1880 and 1890. Of particular interest was a viola designed by himself for which he was awarded the first prize in 1880.

A few years back, we were fortunate to have a Dow cello made in 1902 in the workshop. Looking at it, the reasons for his success were obvious to the eye as well as the ear. The scroll attracted us first with its symmetrical flowing lines and incisive, elegant carving. It seemed to be French-influenced and near perfect. The purfling curved beautifully without fault. The corners were all identical-a most difficult thing to achieve. The F-holes, modeled after those by Stradivarius, were pronounced and carefully made.

Standing away from the instrument, our eyes immediately focused on the top half of the cello's body. Its shape was unusual in that it formed the better half of a true circle instead of the usual slight flattening where the body joins the neck. This gave the instrument an healthy, feminine appearance which was further enhanced by the gentle, unpronounced curves of the top plate. The wood used to make the cello was European spruce and maple.

In general, varnishing was Dow's only shortcoming. His habit was to apply three thick coats of varnish rather than many thinner ones. This produced a brittle, indelicate texture.

On the 1902 cello, numbered 68, the varnish was still quite reasonable. It was a spirit varnish with a natural
yellow-color base, which had faded from orange/yellow to a dull yellow/brown. This fading was due to the action of the sun on the natural pigment. Modern varnishes made with aniline do not fade so readily.

Respected for his originality and good workmanship, Dow died in 1927 having made instruments in South
Melbourne for seventy-three years.