Hungary School
Samuel Nemessanyi
Budapest, Verbicz-Hustak, 1837–1881
Samuel Nemessanyi (1837-1881) was a highly regarded Hungarian violin maker, considered the finest of his era. He trained with J. B. Schweitzer and T. Zach, and later employed notable pupils. Nemessanyi was particularly known for his close copies of Stradivari and Guarneri instruments, many of which were so convincing they were often re-labeled as originals. His production included approximately 60 violins, four violas, and seven cellos, and he was noted for his golden-yellow varnish. In later years, he also finished and varnished imported commercial instruments.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 36.0 cm [Attributed to] | March 2010 | £16,800 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm 19th C. [Ascribed to] | October 2009 | £10,381 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm Budapest, 1880 | November 2008 | £12,473 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm [Attributed to] | March 2007 | £3,450 |
| Violin | 1871 | October 2000 | £23,658 |
| Violin | 1850-99 | October 1995 | £3,910 |
| Violin | 187- | May 1995 | £3,953 |
| Violin | 18-- | March 1992 | £9,350 |
| Violin | 18-- | June 1991 | £7,150 |
| Violin | 1860 c. | June 1991 | £7,150 |
| Violin | 1878 | October 1985 | £1,870 |
| Violin | 1876 | April 1984 | £5,500 |
Maker Overview
Life
Samuel Nemessanyi (1837-1881) was born in 1837. Sources contain conflicting information about his birthplace; John Dilworth states Verbicz-Husták, while Willibald Leo Lütgendorff indicates Eperies. He died in 1881 in Budapest, Hungary. Nemessanyi moved to Budapest in 1855 and trained with J. B. Schweitzer and T. Zach. He was employed by A. Sitt in Prague from 1858, returning to Hungary the following year to Szeged. He worked in various towns in the region before receiving his full guild membership in 1863. He then moved back to Budapest, settling briefly at 7 Hajó Street, and subsequently establishing himself at 4 Gránátos Street. After approximately 1875, he worked alone, moving first to Öz Street, then to 69 Kerepesi Street, and finally to 18 Nagyfúvaros Street. In his declining years, from around 1870, his consistency as a maker became less reliable.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- Samuel Nemessanyi's work is most often characterized by close copies of instruments by Stradivari and Guarneri. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that his copies of Italian masters, particularly Guarneri del Gesù, were scarcely distinguishable from the originals and very similar in tone.
- Production
- He is credited with approximately 60 violins, four violas, and seven cellos.
- Quality
- His violas are considered the least distinguished of his production.
- Varnish
- Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes his very good golden-yellow varnish.
- Consistency
- From 1860 and again from 1870-1872, he resorted to importing superior commercial instruments, which he then varnished and finished. These instruments typically retain distinguishing features of their original factory and are discreetly marked with stock numbers on their labels.
- Samuel Nemessányi fecit ad formam
Joseph Guarnerii pestini anno 1877John Dilworth - Samuel Nemessányi fecit Pestini 1874John Dilworth
- Samuel Nemessányi fecit ad formam
Antonio Stradiuarii Pestini 1865John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Training: Samuel Nemessanyi trained with J. B. Schweitzer and T. Zach.
- Employment: He was employed by A. Sitt in Prague from 1858.
- Pupils: While established at 4 Gránátos Street, he employed several distinguished pupils, including K. H. Voigt, Bela Szepessy, and E. Bartek.
- Reputation: Samuel Nemessanyi is renowned as the finest Hungarian maker, and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff describes him as the most significant violin maker of Hungary in his time.
- Misattribution: Many of his copies of Italian masters have been falsely or erroneously re-labeled as originals, making authentic labeled examples quite rare.
- Value:, violins by Nemessanyi were rarely available for less than 500 Marks.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
NEMESSÁNYI, Samuel Born 1837 Verbicz-Husták, died 1881 Budapest Hungary. Moved to Budapest 1855. Trained with J. B. Schweitzer and T. Zach. Employed by A. Sitt in Prague from 1858 and returned to Hungary the following year, to Szeged. Working in various towns in the region. Received his full guild membership in 1863 and moved back to Budapest, settling briefly at 7 Hajó Street, then establishing himself at 4 Gránátos Street. There he employed several distinguished pupils: K. H. Voigt, Bela Szepessy, and E. Bartek. After c.1875 he was working alone and moved first to Öz Street, then to 69 Kerepesi Street, and finally 18 Nagyfúvaros Street. Renowned as the finest Hungarian maker. His work is most often close copies of Stradivari and Guarneri, and many have been falsely or erroneously re-labelled. Authentic labelled examples are quite rare, but he is today credited with about 60 violins, four violas, and seven cellos. The violas are the least distinguished of his production. In his declining years from around 1870 he became less consistent. In 1860 and from 1870-1872 he resorted to importing superior commercial instruments which he varnished and finished. These usually have distinguishing features of the factory where they were produced, and the labels are discreetly marked with stock numbers. Some instruments branded: ‘NS’. Labels after 1871 in larger print than earlier examples. Samuel Nemessányi fecit ad formam / Joseph Guarnerii pestini anno 1877 Samuel Nemessányi fecit Pestini 1874 Samuel Nemessányi fecit ad formam / Antonio Stradiuarii Pestini 1865 [Benedek]
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Er ist in Eperies geboren, lernte bei Schweitzer und Zach und war unstreitig
der bedeutendste Geigenmacher Ungarns seiner Zeit; ein echter Künstler,
dessen Copien nach italienischen Meistern, vornehmlich nach Guarneri d. G.r
von den Originalen kaum zu unterscheiden und ihnen auch im Ton sehr nahestehend
sind. Sie sind daher selten geworden, da viele seiner Arbeiten jetzt
mit italienischen Zetteln versehen wurden und für echt gelten. Auch sein goldgelber
Lack ist sehr gut. Geigen von ihm sind kaum mehr unter 500 M. zu haben. Er starb leider noch in der Vollkraft seiner Jahre.
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Pupils
Working in Budapest at the same time
Eduard Bartek 1852–1883
Ferdinand (I) Patzelt worked 1820–1859
Ferencz Kaiml worked 1870–1915
Gabriel Lembock 1814–1892
Ignaz Appel 1854–1912
Istvan Bogdanovics worked 1854–1865
Istvan Boldizsar 1849–1881