This viola crafted by Carl Becker and Son in 1950 represents a pinnacle of 20th-century American lutherie, born from a unique father-son collaboration often referred to as the "Golden Age" of the Becker dynasty. Instruments from this era are highly prized because they were crafted by the "dean of American violin-making" (Sr.) and his son, who was already gaining international fame for his precision and restoration skills.
In 1950, the "Son" in the firm’s name refers to Carl F. Becker Jr. (1919–2013), who had rejoined his father, Carl G. Becker Sr. (1887–1975), after serving as a pilot in World War II. The sound of a Becker viola is often described as broad, expansive, and powerful. Musicians value them for their "singing" quality and remarkable clarity, which has made them staples in major orchestras like the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Boston Symphony Orchestra.