Deszo Barany

John Dilworth

BARANY, Deszo Born 1871, died 1942 Budapest Hungary. Pupil of Pilat, worked for T. Zach and J. Hamberger in Vienna, then in Berlin for K. Ferenczy-Tomassovszky and in Budapest with Tanczer, Lutz, Pilat, Remenyi, and Magyorossy. Workshop foreman for Pilat for some years. Developed a system for ageing varnish, and his copies of antique instruments enabled him to set up a workshop in 1920 as Dezso Barany & Co, sponsored by an American art dealer, F. Chaminer. This establishment, known as ‘the English Shop’, staffed by some 20 craftsmen, made good business in manufacturing close copies of minor 18th century Italian instruments as well as Guarneri and Stradivari works. Employees included S. Lacko, E. Steigerwald, M. Frirsz, J. Mirth and A. Arzt. Most of this work was exported to England and the USA. The shop was closed in 1925, but Barany continued making copies for export, and won a gold medal for his copy of the Stradivari ‘Hubay’ violin in 1926. Some instruments also made to his personal model. Reputation as the finest Hungarian maker of the 20th century. Label affixed to upper rib of copies, which also have imitation labels of the original maker: Keszitette / Barany Dezso / Budapest 19.. [Benedek]