Hof School
Laurent Kuntzel
Hof, 1789–1864
Laurent Kuntzel (1789-1864) was a German luthier born in Hof, Bavaria, who initially trained as a piano maker before learning violin making in Italy and working for notable makers like Strnad and Fichtl. He established his own workshop in Breslau around 1820, where he was active until 1857, before moving to Berlin in 1858 and receiving an appointment as court luthier. Kuntzel was a prolific maker, producing approximately 110 violins, 5 violas, and 4 cellos, utilizing both Cremonese and personal models with a flat design and wide edges. While John Dilworth described his quality as "unremarkable," Lütgendorff noted his "clean and conscientious" work, and Stainer praised the "excellent tone" of his exhibited instruments. He valued old wood and used varnishes of various shades, including light yellow and reddish-brown. Kuntzel also studied mensural proportions and planned a violin making textbook, which remained unfinished.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 1830 | October 1988 | £462 |
Maker Overview
Life
Laurent Kuntzel (1789-1864) was born in 1789 in Hof, Bavaria. He began his career as a piano maker, working for Rosenkranz in Dresden and Streicher in Vienna. Lütgendorff further states that Kuntzel subsequently traveled to Italy, where he reportedly learned violin making from a master named Zesserini (?).
Characteristics
- Production
- A prolific maker, Laurent Kuntzel produced approximately 110 violins, 5 violas, and 4 cellos, as detailed by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.
- Quality
- John Dilworth described his quality as "unremarkable," yet Lütgendorff noted his work was "clean and conscientious." Cecie Stainer mentioned he produced "good imitations of Italian violins and violoncellos."
- Models
- He employed both Cremonese and personal models (Dilworth). Lütgendorff described his model as "very flat with a rather wide edge."
- Varnish
- Kuntzel applied varnish of "various shades with excellent materials" (Dilworth), specifically "light yellow or reddish-brown" (Lütgendorff).
- Materials
- He placed great value on "beautiful, preferably old wood," though he also produced "mediocre violins" (Lütgendorff). The top wood often showed dark aging (Lütgendorff).
- Exhibitions
- He exhibited a quartet in London in 1862 (Dilworth). Lütgendorff and Stainer refer to a quintet exhibited in London in 1862, built between 1833-1857, for which he sought 2000 Thaler. While Stainer noted its "excellent tone," Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume's assessment was "not very favorable" (Lütgendorff).
- Laurent Küntzel
Geigenmacher in Breslau, anno 1857John Dilworth - Lorenz Küntzel Hof
Geigenmacher in Berlin, 1863.John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Early Career: Initially trained and worked as a piano maker for Rosenkranz in Dresden and Streicher in Vienna, as reported by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.
- Violin Making Training: Reportedly learned violin making in Italy from a master named Zesserini (?).
- Workshop Experience: He worked for Strnad in Prague and under Fichtl in Breslau.
- Royal Appointment: Laurent Kuntzel was appointed luthier to the court in Berlin in 1858 (Dilworth), following the presentation of a violin to the Crown Prince (Lütgendorff).
- Exhibition Recognition: He exhibited instruments in London in 1862 (Dilworth, Stainer, Lütgendorff).
- Unrealized Project: He intended to collaborate with violin connoisseur Major Reich on a textbook of violin making, but both passed away before its completion, as detailed by Lütgendorff.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
KÜNTZEL, Laurent (Lorenz) Born 1789 Hof, Bavaria, died 1864 Berlin Germany. Active in Breslau 1815-1857. Subsequently established in Berlin where he was appointed luthier to the court 1858. Prolific maker but of unremarkable quality. Cremonese and personal models. Varnish of various shades with excellent materials. Exhibited a quartet in London 1862. Laurent Küntzel / Geigenmacher in Breslau, anno 1857. Lorenz Küntzel Hof / Geigenmacher in Berlin, 1863.
Cecie Stainer+
b. 1790, at Hof, Bavaria. About 1815, after rather a chequered career, settled in Breslau, and worked for some years under Fichtel, an instrument maker there ; he then devoted himself entirely to violin making, producing good imitations of Italian violins and violoncellos. Later on moved to Berlin, where he died in 1864. He exhibited a quintet of instruments in London, 1862; the tone was excellent.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Ursprünglich war er Klaviermacher und arbeitete als solcher bei Rosenkranz
in Dresden und Streicher in Wien. Von da ging er nach Italien, wo er bei
einem Meister Namens Zesserini (?) das Geigenmachen erlernt haben soll. Später
arbeitete er bei Strnad in Prag und Fichtl in Breslau und eröffnete um 1820
in der letztgenannten Stadt seine eigene Werkstatt als Geigenmacher. Nach
1858 siedelte er nach Berlin über und erhielt für eine dem Kronprinzen überreichte
Geige den Titel als Hofinstrumentenmacher. Sein Modell ist sehr flach
mit ziemlich breitem Rand. Im Deckenholz treten die Jahre meist dunkel
hervor; der Lack ist hellgelb oder rothbraun, die Arbeit sauber und gewissenhaft.
Er legte grossen Werth auf schönes, möglichst altes Holz, hat aber doch
auch mittelmässige Geigen gemacht. Im Jahre 1862 stellte er in London sein
in den Jahren 1833-1857 gebautes Quintett, für das er 2000 Thaler forderte,
aus, das aber von Vuillaume nicht sehr günstig beurtheilt wurde. Sein besonderes
Studium verwendete er auf die Mensurverhältnisse und hatte die Absicht,
ein Lehrbuch des Geigenmachens gemeinschaftlich mit dem Geigenkenner
Major Reich zu bearbeiten. Beide sind aber vor der Ausführung dieses Plans
gestorben. Er hat im Ganzen an 110 Violinen, 5 Bratschen und 4 Violoncelli gemacht.
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Working in Hof at the same time
Friedrich August Dittel worked 1800–1835