Johann (I) Ohberg
Biographies
John Dilworth
ÖHBERG, Johann (I) Born 1723, died 1779 Stockholm Sweden. Pupil of S. Beckman, active from 1758. Leading maker in Stockholm in his period. Teacher of E. Sandberg, J. Jerner and D. Wickström. Prolific output but of variable quality; some cheaper work without purfling. Instruments frequently numbered individually. Suggested totals are 278 violins, 16 violas, about 40 cellos, and one double bass (also many plucked instruments). Good Stainer-derived model, slightly undersized. Well carved and concentric scroll with broad pegbox. Violas and cellos generally most successful. Best work with fine golden-yellow varnish; lesser grades with hard yellow or dull dark brown varnish. Some instruments have a Florentine appearance and may have been relabelled as such. Cellos have a very distinctive symmetrical soundhole with the same broad even sweep in upper and lower halves, very small finial circles, and pegbox embellished with a cockleshell carving in the chin. Usually branded on upper back: ‘I.Ö.B.’ Johann Öhberg Stockholm. 1768 / I.O.B. Iohann Öhberg / Stockholm 1772 / Nr 79 [Nilsson]
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