Ferdinand August Vincenz Homolka

Name: Ferdinand August Vincenz Homolka auction price records, Amati Instrument Archive
Creator: Amati

Kuttenberg, Prague, 1828–1890

Ferdinand August Vincenz Homolka (1828-1890) was a Czech luthier from Prague, known as 'the Prague Stradivarius' for his exceptional copies of classical Italian instruments, particularly those of Stradivari. He was trained by his father, Emmanuel Adam Homolka, and worked for several masters before establishing his own workshop in 1847. Homolka was noted for his meticulous attention to detail, use of oil and spirit varnishes, and his ability to replicate the nuances of master instruments.

Worked Kuttenberg, Prague

Made Cello, Violin

Taught by Emmanuel Adam Homolka

Family Son of Emmanuel Adam Homolka

Auction price history

Highest auction price

£8,142

Type	Details	Sold	Price
Violin	35.8 cm Kuttenberg, 1848	December 2010	£3,230
Cello	75.7 cm Prague, 1876	April 2010	£3,453
Violin	36.0 cm Prague, 1874	May 2009	£5,823
Cello	1878	November 2003	£7,800
Violin	1874	October 2003	£8,142
Violin	1884	February 1997	£632
Violin	1862	March 1996	£5,175
Violin	1865	November 1994	£3,220
Violin	1850 c.	March 1991	£2,420
Violin	1860	November 1987	£3,080
Violin	1866	November 1987	£1,760
Violin	1825	April 1984	£1,626
Violin	1825	June 1982	£1,404

Maker Overview

Life

Ferdinand August Vincenz Homolka (1828-1890) was born in 1828 and died in 1890 in Prague, Czech Republic. He was the son and pupil of Emmanuel Adam Homolka and the nephew of Johann Stephan Homolka., he completed his apprenticeship in 1844 and subsequently worked for Kratschmann in Znaim, Franz Schmidt in Vienna, Jos. Barchánek in Ödenburg, Fietsche in Linz, Fischer in Vienna, and several masters in Prague. He established his own business in 1847 and married Marie Kobr? on May 24, 1858. His residences in Prague included Altstadt 291, then from 1851 to 1857 he shared a residence with his uncle, and later lived at Spálená ul. 92, 105, 104, Mále nám?sti No. 13, Husová t?ida 231 from 1873, and finally in Kgl. Weinbergen from 1888. He acquired his citizenship in 1874. He was known as 'the Prague Stradivarius'.

Characteristics

Copying: He was known as 'the Prague Stradivarius' after a particularly successful copy of a 1719 Stradivari violin.
Models: He produced various other copies of classical Italian work of very high quality and ingenuity, including instruments by Joseph Guarneri, Petrus Guarneri, and Nicolo Amati.
Methodology: He focused on actual masterpieces of his predecessors, such as the violins of Count Wielhorski, and paid attention to the smallest details in his imitations of Stradivari.
Archings: While not favoring a high arching, he considered an overly flat model unsuitable, and he excelled at maintaining the correct wood thickness.
Other Instruments: In his younger years, he also made many guitars.
Varnish: He used both oil and spirit varnish in red, orange-yellow, and red-brown colors.
Labels: Examples of his labels include "Ferd. August Homolka / in Prag. 1866", "Ferd. August Homolka / fecit Pragae 1849 / copie nach Math. Alban", and "Ferdinandus Aug. Homolka / Fecit Pragae 18..".

Recorded labels

Ferd. August Homolka
in Prag. 1866John Dilworth
Ferd. August Homolka
fecit Pragae 1849
copie nach Math. Alban Ferdinandus Aug. Homolka
Fecit Pragae 18..John Dilworth

Influence and legacy

Family Training: He was the son and pupil of Emmanuel Adam Homolka and the nephew of Johann Stephan Homolka.
Apprenticeships: After completing his apprenticeship in 1844, he worked for Kratschmann in Znaim, Franz Schmidt in Vienna, Jos. Barchánek in Ödenburg, Fietsche in Linz, Fischer in Vienna, and several masters in Prague.
Nickname: He was known as 'the Prague Stradivarius' due to his exceptional ability to imitate Stradivari, even down to the smallest details.

Found an error? Report Now

Biographies

The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:

John Dilworth+

HOMOLKA, Ferdinand August Vincenz Born 1828, died 1890 Prague Czech Republic Son and pupil of Emmanuel Adam Homolka, above. Known as ‘the Prague Stradivarius’ after a particularly successful copy of a 1719 Stradivari violin. Various other copies of classical Italian work of very high quality and ingenuity. Oil varnish in all appropriate shades. Ferd. August Homolka / in Prag. 1866 Ferd. August Homolka / fecit Pragae 1849 / copie nach Math. Alban Ferdinandus Aug. Homolka / Fecit Pragae 18..

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+

Schüler seines Vaters Eman. Adam H. und Neffe von Joh. Steph. H. Er hatte 1844
ausgelernt, arbeitete dann bei Kratschmann in Znaim, Franz Schmidt in Wien und Jos.
Barchánek in Ödenburg, Fietsche in Linz, Fischer in Wien und einigen Prager Meistern. Er heirathete am 24. Mai 1858 Marie Kobr?, nachdem er sich schon 1847
selbstständig gemacht hatte. Er wohnte erst Altstadt 291, von 1851—1857 gemeinschaftlich mit seinem Onkel, später Spálená ul. 92 u. 105, 104, Mále nám?sti No. 13, seit 1873 Husová t?ida 231 und zuletzt (seit 1888) auf den Kgl. Weinbergen. 1874 erwarb er das Bürgerrecht. Er war der »Prager Stradivarius«, ein ideal angelegter Künstler, der es, wie Wenige, verstand, den von ihm so hochverehrten Stradivari nachzuahmen, wobei er bis in die kleinsten Einzelheiten ging. Er copirte gelegentlich auch andere Meister, wie Jos. Guarneri oder Petrus Guarneri, Nic. Amati etc. Dabei hielt er sich nur an wirkliche Meisterwerke seiner Vorbilder, wie die Geigen des Grafen Wielhorski. Ohne eine hohe Wölbung zu bevorzugen, hielt er ein zu flaches Modell doch für ungeeignet, auch verstand er es vortrefflich, die richtige Holzstärke einzuhalten. In seinen jüngeren Jahren machte er auch viele Guitarren. Er verwendete sowohl Öl- als Spirituslack von rother, orangegelber und rothbrauner Farbe.

Sell your instrument with Amati

Get started by uploading photos of your instrument for our experts to review.

Get a Valuation

Sell your instrument with Amati

Get started by uploading photos of your instrument for our experts to review.

Get a Valuation