August Anton Reichel
1841–1929
August Anton REICHEL (1841-1929) was a German violin and bow maker, son of Friedrich August Reichel (II). He apprenticed with his uncle Wilhelm Voigt, learning guitar making, and was further trained as a violin maker by his father. He worked for R. Weichold in Dresden before establishing his independent workshop in Markneukirchen in 1868. Known for his clean and carefully executed violins, he also produced guitars and bass bows. He was a respected teacher, and his sons, August Otto R. and Max Hugo R., continued the family's violin making tradition.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
5 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cello Bow | Nickel mounted, stamped A.R. Reichel Lot 2225 | Gardiner | March 2024 | £91est. £ 80-120 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 82 g. | — | November 1996 | £805 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 70 g. | — | July 1993 | £575 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | July 1993 | £402 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 78 g. | — | April 1992 | £330 |
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Maker Overview
Life
August Anton REICHEL (1841-1929) was born in 1841 and died in 1929, the son of Friedrich August Reichel (II). After leaving school as the top of his class, he initially apprenticed with his uncle Wilhelm Voigt, where he learned guitar making. In 1859, he joined his father's workshop, where he was further trained as a violin maker. He then worked for court violin maker R. Weichold in Dresden, remaining there until 1863 when he fulfilled his military service. During his longer leaves, he spent time with both his father and Weichold. In 1866, he participated in the war, including the Battle of Königgrätz, and reached Vienna before returning home after the peace treaty. On January 9, 1868, he married Auguste Christine Geipel from Fleissen near Eger, became a citizen and master, and established his own violin making workshop. He was recalled for military service at the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War, successfully navigating all battles despite a toe injury. Upon his return, he worked alongside his father and produced many instruments, including guitars and bass bows, for R. Weichold. He found significant success and was able to purchase his house in the Neue Strasse in 1875, where he still resided at the time of Willibald Leo Lütgendorff's writing.
Characteristics
- Training
- He learned guitar making from his uncle Wilhelm Voigt.
- Specialization
- He was trained as a violin maker by his father.
- Production
- He made guitars and bass bows for R. Weichold.
- Workmanship
- His violins are described as "sauber und sorgfältig in allen Theilen ausgeführt" (clean and carefully executed in all parts).
Influence and legacy
- Apprenticeship: He apprenticed with his uncle Wilhelm Voigt.
- Mentorship: He worked for his father, Friedrich August Reichel (II), and with court violin maker R. Weichold in Dresden.
- Teaching: He was a capable teacher, evidenced by the large number of skilled violin makers who were his students.
- Family Tradition: His two sons, August Otto R. and Max Hugo R., also became violin makers.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
August Anton Born 1841, died 1929. Son of Friedrich August Reichel (II), below. Violin and bow maker. Apprenticed to his uncle W. Voigt. Worked for his father and then with Weichold in Dresden. Established independently in Markneukirchen from 1875.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Sohn von Friedrich August II. R. Nachdem er die Schule als Erster in seiner Classe verlassen hatte, kam er zunächst zu seinem Oheim Wilhelm Voigt in die Lehre, bei dem er das Guitarrenmachen erlernte. 1859 trat er bei seinem Vater ein, wurde nun noch zum Geigenmacher ausgebildet und kam dann zu dem Hofgeigenmacher R. Weichold nach Dresden, wo er bis 1863 blieb, um dann seiner Militärpflicht zu genügen. Die damals üblichen längeren Urlaubsfristen verbrachte er theils bei seinem Vater, theils bei Weichold. 1866 musste er mit in den Krieg, machte u. A. die Schlacht bei Königgrätz mit und kam schliesslich bis Wien, von wo er nach dem Friedensschluss wieder heimkehrte. Am 9. Januar 1868 verheirathete er sich mit Auguste Christine Geipel aus Fleissen b./Eger, wurde Bürger und Meister und begründete seine eigene Geigenmacherwerkstatt. Beim Ausbruch des deutsch-französischen Kriegs wurde er wieder eingezogen und kam, von einer Verletzung der grossen Zehe abgesehen, durch alle Schlachten glücklich durch. Zurückgekehrt, arbeitete er gemeinsam mit seinem Vater und hat viel für R. Weichold — auch Guitarren und Bassbögen — angefertigt. Seine Geigen sind sauber und sorgfältig in allen Theilen ausgeführt; er fand viel Zuspruch und konnte sich 1875 sein Haus in der Neuen Strasse kaufen, das er noch bewohnt. Auch seine beiden Söhne August Otto R. und Max Hugo R. Sind Geigenmacher geworden. Dass er auch ein tüchtiger Lehrer ist, beweist die grosse Zahl geschickter Geigenmacher, die seine Schüler gewesen sind.
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Family
Max Hugo Reichel Son