Sweden School
Sven Beckman
Askersund, Stockholm, 1717–1762
Apprenticed to J. F. Weidemann, dancing master and instrument dealer, in 1736. Received state sponsorship to travel abroad to develop his lutherie, during which he may have worked in Königsberg. Returned to Stockholm 1740. Took over the business of Wiedemann and appointed Instrument Maker to the Swe\u{2026} — John Dilworth
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cello | 68.8 cm Stockholm, 1748, with Provenance | October 2008 | £4,375 |
| Cello | 1746 | July 1993 | £1,840 |
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
BECKMAN, Sven Born 1717 Askersund, died 1762 Stockholm Sweden. Apprenticed to J. F. Weidemann, dancing master and instrument dealer, in 1736. Received state sponsorship to travel abroad to develop his lutherie, during which he may have worked in Königsberg. Returned to Stockholm 1740. Took over the business of Wiedemann and appointed Instrument Maker to the Swedish royal court 1756. The leading maker in Sweden.(alongside Hellstedt) although he died in poverty. Teacher of Ohlberg. Historical accounts indicate he was prolific maker of both plucked and bowed instruments, but very few survive. Several small cellos of very refined, somewhat Florentine appearance. A quinton with golden-yellow varnish in the Stockholm Museum of Music. Other instruments have a rather chippy dark red-brown coating. Some have an ornately carved back button, in the manner of some ‘Vieux Paris’ makers. Branded beneath button: ‘Sven Beckman’. Printed label: Sveno Beckman i Stockholm / Anno 1758 [Nilsson]
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Seine Geigen sind von roher Arbeit; besser sind
seine Lauten, die häufiger vorkommen. Eine solche
mit einem Rococo-Ornament befand sich in der Sammlung
Hammer in Stockholm.
Cecie Stainer+
A maker at Stockholm about 1700-50. His instruments are roughly made.
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Working in Askersund at the same time
Anders Froberg worked 1762–1770
Carl Magnus Nystrom worked 1757–1760
Elias Carlander 1721–1784
Johann (I) Ohberg 1723–1779
Olof Arling worked 1720
Petter Alexander Hellstedt b. 1740