Germany School
Johann Uldarichus Eberle
Prague, Vils, 1699–1768
Johann Uldarichus Eberle (1699-1768) was a prominent violin maker of the Prague school, known for his excellent craftsmanship and imitation of Cremonese styles, often incorporating Tyrolean scroll characteristics. A pupil of Thomas Edlinger (III), he established his own workshop in Prague in 1727 and produced violins, violas, cellos, and viola d'amores.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
24 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Lot 140 | Bonhams | October 2012 | £3,500 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm Prague, 1745 c. | — | June 2009 | £2,308 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Prague, 1766 | — | March 2009 | £5,470 |
| Violin | 36.3 cm Prague, 1728 | — | December 2008 | £6,056 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm Prague, 1760 c. Attributed to | — | November 2008 | £1,200 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Prague, 1760 c. | — | October 2007 | £5,224 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm Pargue, 1760 c. Attributed to | — | September 2007 | £2,160 |
| Violin | Prague, 1740 c. | — | April 2005 | £1,880 |
| Violin | Prague, 1760 c. | — | February 2005 | £3,360 |
| Violin | Prague, 1740 | — | November 2004 | £2,390 |
| Violin | 1740 | — | March 2003 | £3,760 |
| Violin | 1765 | — | November 1999 | £5,175 |
| Violin | 1760 c. | — | May 1999 | £1,829 |
| Violin | 1757 | — | March 1999 | £2,530 |
| Violin | 1767 | — | March 1998 | £5,520 |
| Violin | 1787 | — | March 1995 | £5,750 |
| Violin | 1740 | — | October 1994 | £2,990 |
| Violin | 1750 c. | — | May 1994 | £2,152 |
| Violin | 1753 | — | March 1994 | £1,150 |
| Violin | 1760 c. | — | November 1988 | £1,980 |
| Violin | 1748 | — | September 1987 | £935 |
| Violin | 1773 | — | April 1987 | £7,150 |
| Violin | 17-- | — | July 1985 | £593 |
| Violin | 1749 | — | November 1980 | £715 |
No results match those filters.
Maker Overview
Life
Johann Uldarichus Eberle (1699-1768) was born in 1699 in Vils, Austria, and died in 1768 in Prague, Czech Republic.
Characteristics
- Model
- He primarily used a Stainer model, sometimes incorporating elements of Cremonese styles, reflecting an awareness of Italian forms.
- Scrolls
- His scrolls are described by John Dilworth as stubbornly Tyrolean, featuring a swan-necked pegbox and an extended final turn of the volute.
- Body and Arching
- While scrolls were Tyrolean, the body and arching forms sometimes showed an awareness of Cremonese styles.
- Edges and Corners
- Instruments typically featured small edges and short corners.
- Soundholes
- He crafted finely cut, upright soundholes of Stainer form.
- Varnish
- His instruments were finished with a red-brown varnish of soft oil, which was prone to craquelure, or sometimes amber or brown varnish.
- Materials
- Fine materials were consistently used in his work.
- Other Instruments
- In addition to violins, he also made viola d'amores, violas, and cellos.
- Workmanship
- Cecie Stainer notes his excellent workmanship and describes him as a very clever imitator of Cremona violins, though his instruments sometimes lacked the full round tone of the Italian instruments.
- Joannes Udalricus Eberle
fecit Pragae 1767John Dilworth - Joan. Udalricus Eberll,
fecit Pragae. 1744John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Teacher: He was a pupil of Thomas Edlinger (III) in Prague.
- Training:, he learned violin making in his homeland before coming to Prague as an assistant to Thomas Edlinger, though he was not a relative of this master.
- Labels: Examples of his labels include "Joannes Udalricus Eberle / fecit Pragae 1767" and "Joan. Udalricus Eberll, / fecit Pragae. 1744", as cited by John Dilworth. Cecie Stainer notes a label "Joannes Ulricus Eberle, fecit Prague, 1759" and another in a restored viola d'amore: "Joannes Ulricus Eberle, me reparavit Praga-, anno 1749".
- Preserved Instruments: George Hart mentions that Herr Carli Zoeller owned a Viola d'Amore by Eberle, dated 1730, which was in excellent preservation.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
EBERLE, Johann Udalrichus Born 1699 Vils Austria, died 1768 Prague Czech Republic. Pupil of Thomas Edlinger (III) in Prague. Established own workshop 1727. One of the best makers of the Prague school. Stainer model, sometimes combining elements of Cremona. Scrolls are stubbornly Tyrolean, with swan-necked pegbox and extended final turn of the volute, but the body and arching forms sometimes reflect an awareness of Cremonese styles. Small edges and short corners. Finely cut upright soundholes of Stainer form. Red-brown varnish of soft oil, given to craquelure. Fine materials used consistently. Also made viola d’amores, violas, and cellos. Joannes Udalricus Eberle / fecit Pragae 1767 Joan. Udalricus Eberll, / fecit Pragae. 1744
George Hart+
Was a good copyist of the Italian masters. Eberle also made Viols d’Amour. Herr Carli Zoeller is the owner of one in excellent preservation, dated 1730.
Cecie Stainer+
A maker in Prague about 1730-60. He was a very clever imitator of Cremona violins, but his instruments lacked the full round tone of the Italian instruments ; they were of excellent workmanship, with amber or sometimes brown varnish Label: “Joannes Ulricus Eberle, fecit Prague, 1759.” In a viola d’amore that he had restored was the label: “Joannes Ulricus Eberle, me reparavit Praga-, anno 1749 ” ; another viola d’amore was dated 1730.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Sohn des Sebastian Eberle und der Ursula geb. Schonger. Er hat den Geigenbau jedenfalls
in seiner Heimath erlernt und kam alsGehilfe nach Prag zu Thomas Edlinger, doch war
er kein Verwandter dieses Meisters. Er machte sich dann dort selbstständig und erwarb
am 20. Febr. 1726 das Prager Bürgerrecht. Auf manchem Zettel schreibt er den Namen
Sell your instrument with Amati
Get started by uploading photos of your instrument for our experts to review.