Jean Gabriel Koliker

Paris, worked 1783–1820

Jean Gabriel Koliker (circa 1783-1820) was a prominent and influential figure in post-revolutionary Parisian lutherie, primarily known as a highly skilled repairer and dealer rather than a maker of new instruments. Operating from various locations in Paris, including rue Croix des Petits Champs, he was celebrated for his meticulous repair work, encompassing scroll grafting, bridge adjustments, and soundpost setting. Koliker maintained connections with notable figures like the collector Tarisio, and his business was eventually succeeded by François Gand in 1820, ensuring the continuity of a significant Parisian lutherie establishment.

Worked Paris

Maker Overview

Life

Jean Gabriel Koliker (circa. 1783-1820) worked in Paris, France. He was initially located in the rue des Fossés-Saint-Germain-des-Prés until 1799, and from 1800, he worked at no. 24 rue Croix des Petits Champs. His business was succeeded by François Gand, also referred to as Ch. F. Gand, in 1820. Koliker was primarily known as a repairer and dealer, and no authentic works from his own hand are known. He was considered an influential figure in post-revolutionary Parisian lutherie. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that Koliker had connections to the collector Tarisio. Hart, without further explanation, attributes him to the German school, a possibility given his name. Koliker's advertisement read: "Koliker, Luthier / rue Croix des Petits Champs no 24 / entre les rues Coquillière et du / Bouloy, à Paris. Fait et racommode toutes sortes d’instruments de Musique. Vend et loue Forte-Pianos, Harpes, Guitares et Violons, et tient un / assortiment de cordes de Naples de la première / qualité pour tous les instruments."

Characteristics

Repair Expertise: Jean Gabriel Koliker was an extraordinarily skilled repairer, capable of executing the most difficult repairs with incredible care.
Specific Skills: His expertise included the grafting of scrolls (Anschäften der Schnecken), adjusting bridges (Zurichten des Stegs), and setting soundposts (Stellen der Stimme).
New Instrument Production: It is not known that he attempted new construction, and no authentic works from his own hand are known, making it doubtful if he made any new instruments.

Recorded labels

Koliker, Luthier
rue Croix des Petits Champs no 24
entre les rues Coquillière et du
Bouloy, à Paris. Fait et racommode toutes sortes d’instru-
ments de Musique. Vend et loue Forte-Pianos, Harpes, Guitares et Violons, et tient un
assortiment de cordes de Naples de la première
qualité pour tous les instrumentsJohn Dilworth

Influence and legacy

Historical Context: Jean Gabriel Koliker was an influential figure in post-revolutionary Parisian lutherie.
Succession: His business was succeeded by François Gand, or Ch. F. Gand, in 1820.
Potential Origins: Hart, without further specification, attributes Koliker to the German school, a possibility given his name.
Business Continuity: His business was acquired by Ch. F. Gand in 1820, ensuring the continuation of a prominent Parisian lutherie establishment.
Notable Connections: He maintained relationships with significant figures such as the collector Tarisio.

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Biographies

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

John Dilworth+

KOLIKER, Jean Gabriel Worked circa. 1783-1820 Paris France. Worked in the rue des Fossés-Saint-Germain-des-Prés and from 1800 in the rue Croix des Petits Champs where he was succeeded by François Gand. Known as a repairer and dealer. No authentic works from his own hand are known. Influential figure in post-revolutionary Parisian lutherie. Koliker, Luthier / rue Croix des Petits Champs no 24 / entre les rues Coquillière et du / Bouloy, à Paris. Fait et racommode toutes sortes d’instru- / ments de Musique. Vend et loue Forte-Pianos, Harpes, Guitares et Violons, et tient un / assortiment de cordes de Naples de la première / qualité pour tous les instruments.

Cecie Stainer+

Worked in Paris, 1783-99, in rue des Fosses-Saint-Germain-des-Pres; in 1800 he moved to 24, rue Croix-des-petits-Champs. Ch. F. Gand bought his business in 1820. It is doubtful if he made any new instruments, but he was an extremely clever repairer of old ones.

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+

Er wohnte bis 1799 in der Rue des Fossés-Saint-Germain-des-Prés, seit 1800
in der Rue Croix des Petits-Champs No. 24 und war ein ausserordentlich geschickter
Reparateur. Das Anschäften der Schnecken, Zurichten des Stegs, Stellen der Stimme etc. verstand er wie kein Anderer; er führte die schwierigsten Reparaturen mit unglaublicher Sorgfalt aus; es ist aber nicht bekannt, dass er sich auch im Neubau versuchte. Von Bedeutung war er auch als Händler und hatte Beziehungen zu dem Sammelgenie Tarisio. Hart rechnet ihn ohne nähere Angabe von Gründen zur deutschen Schule; dem Namen nach konnte er ja auch von deutscher Abstammung; gewesen sein. Sein Geschäft übernahm 1820 Ch. F. Gand.

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