Andreas Jais

Life

Andreas Jais (1685-1753) was born in 1685 in Mittenwald, Germany, and died in 1753 in Tölz. He was the son of Georg Jais and Katharina. As early as 1707, he was identified as a lutenist and, while still unmarried, crafted a violoncello for the dealer J. Baader. In 1709, he became godfather to Johann Carl Klotz, the son of Mathias Klotz. Soon after, he relocated to Tölz, where he married Anna Lerch on June 22, 1711; she later died in childbirth on June 23, 1718. Following his wife's death, he entered a second marriage on August 16, 1718, with Elisabeth Leer from Wolfrathshausen, who passed away in 1759. He was active in Tölz from 1711 and was highly esteemed during his lifetime, being explicitly called an "Künstler" (artist) in the Tölz church records, as noted in the Antiquitäten-Zeitung of 1902, No. 5.

Characteristics

Model

His instruments featured a highly arched Stainer model.

Workmanship

He was known for fine workmanship, sometimes incorporating ornately carved heads and, occasionally, painted purfling. His lion's heads (Löwenköpfchen) on the pegbox were particularly beautiful.

Varnish

He used a thin red varnish of good quality.

Instruments Produced

Andreas Jais made violins, lutes, viole d'amore, violas, and violoncellos.

Influence and legacy

• Teacher: Andreas Jais was a pupil of Matthias Klotz.
• Connections: He was godfather to Johann Carl Klotz, the son of his teacher.
• Family: He had six sons.
• Recognition: During his lifetime, he was highly regarded, being explicitly referred to as an "Künstler" (artist) in the Tölz church records.
• Notable Instruments: A violoncello from 1707 is owned by the violin dealer Joh. Bader.