Karel van der Meer began his career not as a violin maker, but as a violinist. Initially, he worked in small Amsterdam workshops, before being hired a few years later by the Concertgebouw Orchestra. Somewhat disappointed, he resigned four years later. He explored the craft with violin makers trained in Germany and opened his own workshop in Amsterdam and Arnhem. Among his employees were violin makers Josef Fedral Sr., Eugène Eberle, and Johann Stüber. As a bow maker, Auguste Toussaint had already gained a wealth of experience with renowned French makers before joining Karel van der Meer. Given his excellent bows, he was probably the most gifted bow maker in the workshop.

This bow was used for many years by Mimi de Rooij (RIP), the mother of cabaret artist Karel de Rooij.