Johann Karl Klotz

Name: Johann Karl Klotz auction price records, Amati Instrument Archive
Creator: Amati

Mittenwald, 1709–1769

Johann Karl Klotz (1709-1769) was a German violin maker from Mittenwald, son of Mathias Klotz (I). He was a pupil of his half-brother Sebastian Klotz and trained Phillip Sailer, as well as his sons Wolfgang and Michael. His instruments are characterized by Cremonese soundholes, a distinctive head, and thin, intensely coloured varnish, sometimes golden-brown or dark brown. While John Dilworth noted his execution as "less well disciplined," other sources like Willibald Leo Lütgendorff and Cecie Stainer consider his work among the best of the Klotz family. He used both manuscript and printed labels, and a violin of his is part of the Sammlung Snoeck in Berlin.

Worked Mittenwald

Made Viola, Violin

Taught by Sebastian

Family Son of Mathias Klotz

Auction price history

Highest auction price

£7,800

Type	Details	Sold	Price
Violin	35.9 cm Mittenwald, 1760	September 2011	£7,800
Violin	35.6 cm Mittenwald, 1780 c.	October 2010	£2,640
Violin	Mittenwald, 1769	November 2005	£4,342
Violin		November 2005	£2,053
Violin	1750 c.	May 2005	£1,622
Viola	38.5 cm 1790	November 2002	£4,182
Violin	1795	March 2001	£1,645
Violin	1779	June 2000	£1,955
Viola	38.2 cm 1786	March 2000	£1,840
Violin	1770 c.	February 1998	£1,732
Violin	17--	July 1997	£1,800
Violin	1760 c.	November 1996	£3,680
Violin	1782	November 1995	£2,760
Violin	1750 c.	November 1994	£1,867
Violin	1775	March 1994	£747
Violin	1776	November 1992	£2,090
Violin	1782	June 1991	£2,860
Violin	1752	June 1990	£1,540
Viola	38.6 cm 1793	May 1981	£1,540

Maker Overview

Life

Johann Karl Klotz (1709-1769) was born in Mittenwald, Germany, the son of Mathias Klotz (I) and Ursula, née Schlaucher. His godfather was Andreas Jais, described as a "lediger Lautenmacher" (unmarried lutenist). He resided in the lower market in a half-house that previously belonged to Thomas Nebel. Johann Karl Klotz was married to Margaretha Knilling. Sources contain conflicting information regarding his death; John Dilworth states he died in 1769, while Cecie Stainer notes he "died young" and that his instruments are rare.

Characteristics

Model: He worked after a model described as "similar" to others in his family, and also as a "small, an Amati erinnernden Modell" (small, Amati-reminiscent model).
Soundholes: His instruments featured Cremonese soundholes.
Head: A characteristic head with a small inner volute and an extended last turn was typical of his work.
Varnish: The varnish he used is described as thin and intense in colour, with some examples showing a more Amati-like golden-brown hue. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes he used "dunkelbraunen Lack" (dark brown varnish), while Cecie Stainer observed a "dark varnish, almost black in colour."
Workmanship: John Dilworth describes his execution as "less well disciplined... than some others of the family," however, Willibald Leo Lütgendorff considered him "einer der besten Geigenmacher seiner Familie" (one of the best violin makers of his family), and Cecie Stainer states his instruments are "among the best of those made by the Klotz family."
Labels: He used manuscript labels up to 1750, thereafter transitioning to printed labels. Examples include: "Ioan. Carol Kloz, in / Mittenvvald, An 1752.", "Johan Carl Klotz fecit / in Mittenwald, 1754", and "Joan Carol Klotz in Mittenwald, an. 1750".

Recorded labels

Manuscript labels up to 1750; thereafter printed: Ioan. Carol Kloz, in
Mittenvvald, An 1752John Dilworth
Johan Carl Klotz fecit
in Mittenwald, 1754John Dilworth
Joan Carol Kloz
in Mittenwald, An 1780John Dilworth

Influence and legacy

Training: He is thought to have been a pupil of Sebastian Klotz, his half-brother.
Apprentices: Johann Karl Klotz trained Phillip Sailer between approximately 1737 and 1742.
Family Tradition: He also trained his own sons, Wolfgang and Michael Klotz.
Collections: A violin made by Johann Karl Klotz from the Sammlung Snoeck (Collection Snoeck), numbered 516, is housed in Berlin.
Rarity: Cecie Stainer notes that his instruments are rare and "but little known."

Found an error? Report Now

Biographies

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

John Dilworth+

KLOTZ, Johann Karl (Joan Carol) Born 1709, died 1769 Mittenwald Germany Son of Mathias Klotz (I), below. Thought to have been the pupil of Sebastian, his half-brother. He himself trained one apprentice, Phillip Sailer c.1737-1742, and his own sons Wolfgang and Michael, below. Less well disciplined in execution than some others of the family but similar model. Cremonese soundholes, characteristic head with small inner volute and extended last turn. Varnish thin and intense in colour, some more Amati-like golden-brown. Manuscript labels up to 1750; thereafter printed: Ioan. Carol Kloz, in / Mittenvvald, An 1752. Johan Carl Klotz fecit / in Mittenwald, 1754 Joan Carol Kloz / in Mittenwald, An 1780 [Layer, Baader, Senn]

Cecie Stainer+

Worked in Mittenwald about 1740-55. He died young; his instruments are rare and but little known, but are said to be among the best of those made by the Klotz family. In a very well made violin with dark varnish, almost black in colour, is the label: ” Joan Carol Klotz in Mittenwald, an. 1750″; a similar label was dated 1753.

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+

Sohn von Math. Klotz und von dessen Frau Ursula geb. Schlaucher. Sein
Taufpathe war Andreas Jais, »lediger Lautenmacher«. Er wohnte im unteren
Markte in einem halben Hause, das früher Thomas Nebel gehörte. Verheirathet
war er mit Margaretha Knilling. Er galt als einer der besten Geigenmacher
seiner Familie, arbeitete nach einem kleinen, an Amati erinnernden Modell und verwendete dunkelbraunen Lack. Eine Violine von ihm befindet sich aus der Sammlung Snoeck (No. 516) in Berlin.

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