Johann Christoph Leidolff

Name: Johann Christoph Leidolff auction price records, Amati Instrument Archive
Creator: Amati

Vienna, 1690–1758

Johann Christoph Leidolff (1690-1758) was a prominent Viennese luthier, son and pupil of Nikolaus L., who served the Viennese court. He was known for producing instruments, including violins and an Altquinton, often based on Stainer or Amati models, characterized by neat finishes, fine materials, and distinctive varnishes. His workshop was substantial, and his instruments are preserved in notable collections.

Worked Vienna

Made Cello, Violin

Family Son of Nicolaus Leidolff

Auction price history

Highest auction price

£14,045

Type	Details	Sold	Price
Cello	Labelled Joannes Christophorus Leidolff, fecit Viennae 1758, soundholes recut, lower ribs later	October 2024	£14,045
Violin	36.1 cm 1761(?)	December 2011	£1,587
Violin	35.6 cm Vienna, Mid- 18th C.	March 2011	£1,800
Violin	35.3 cm Vienna, 1727	November 2008	£2,994
Cello	75.0 cm Vienna, 1745 c.	March 2008	£3,125
Violin	36.3 cm Vienna, 1740 c.	May 2006	£1,042
Violin	Vienna, 1753	November 2005	£1,500
Violin	1750 c.	November 2000	£643
Violin	17--	March 1992	£3,520
Violin	1748	March 1990	£660
Violin	1748	October 1986	£902
Violin	1761	November 1983	£660

Maker Overview

Life

Johann Christoph Leidolff (1690-1758) was the son of Nicolaus Leidolff. He was born in 1690 and died in 1758 in Vienna, Austria. He was appointed luthier to the Viennese court. He resided in the "Wübmer Viertl" and took his civic oath on September 2, 1715. He appeared in tax lists from 1749 to 1758. After his death, his widow continued the business until her own death in 1770.

Characteristics

Models: He produced instruments based on Stainer or Amati models, which were sometimes described as fairly crude.
Workmanship: His instruments were neatly finished and made with fine materials. His violins are noted for their beautiful form, good wood, and tone.
Varnish: Early works featured a good dark brown varnish. Later, he introduced a red tint laid over a dark stained ground.
Materials: He preferred to make the rib linings from hard wood.
Notable Instruments: An Altquinton in gamba form from 1719 is held in the royal collection in Berlin (No. 873). This instrument is notable for its purpurblau (purple-blue) colored back, ribs, and pegbox, which also features a Moor's head. Violins by him are also found in Stift St. Florian (Upper Austria, undated) and the Schottenstift in Vienna (from 1748).

Recorded labels

Johann Christoph Leidolff
Lauten und Geigenmacher Joannes Christophorus Leidolff
fecit Viennae. 1748John Dilworth

Influence and legacy

Training: Johann Christoph Leidolff was the son of Nikolaus L. and, according to his work, also his pupil.
Continuity: After his death, his widow continued the business until 1770.
Collections: Works by Johann Christoph Leidolff are found in many collections.

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Biographies

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

John Dilworth+

LEIDOLFF (LEYDOLFF), Johann Christoph Born 1690, died 1758 Vienna Austria. Son of Nicolaus Leidolff, below. Appointed luthier to the Viennese court. Several assistants in large workshop, so production is slightly inconsistent. Fairly crude Stainer or Amati models; neatly finished and fine materials. Early work with good dark brown varnish. Later introduced a red tint laid over a dark stained ground. Johann Christoph Leidolff / Lauten und Geigenmacher Joannes Christophorus Leidolff / fecit Viennae. 1748

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+

Sohn von Nikolaus L. und seiner Arbeit nach auch sein Schüler. Er wohnte
im »Wübmer Viertl«, legte am 2. September 1715 den Bürgereid ab und
kommt in den Steuerlisten von 1749—1758 vor. Nach seinem Tode führte seine
Wittwe das Geschäft fort, bis sie selbst im Jahre 1770 starb. Seine Geigen sind
schön in der Form gemacht, gut im Holz und im Ton. Die Bereifung der
Zargen fertigte er gerne aus hartem Holze an. Um 1740 war er bereits Hof-
Lauten- und Geigenmacher. Arbeiten von ihm sind in vielen Sammlungen zu
finden, so ein Altquinton in Gambenform von 1719 in der kgl. Sammlung in Berlin
(No. 873), das auch dadurch bemerkenswerth erscheint, dass Boden, Zargen und
Wirbelkasten purpurblau gefärbt sind. Am Wirbelkasten befindet sich ein
Mohrenkopf. Geigen von ihm besitzt ferner das Stift St. Florian (Oberösterreich,
ohne Datum) und das Schottenstift in Wien (von 1748).