Johann Ferdinand Patzelt

Budapest, 1828–1876

Johann Ferdinand Patzelt (1828-1876) was a significant violin maker, born in Budapest and active in Vienna and Berlin. He was trained by his father, Ferdinand Patzelt (I), and worked for Engleder and Schulz before establishing his own reputation in Vienna. Known for his fine workmanship and classical Italian models, he received a medal in London in 1862 and later became the artistic director of the Grimm workshop in Berlin. Patzelt was also a respected connoisseur, restorer, and skilled violinist, whose instruments were played by prominent musicians like Hellmesberger, Laub, and Miska Hauser.

Worked Budapest

Taught by Ferdinand Patzelt

Family Son of Ferdinand Patzelt

Maker Overview

Life

Johann Ferdinand Patzelt (1828-1876) was born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1828 and died in Berlin, Germany, in 1876. He was the son and pupil of Ferdinand Patzelt (I). Patzelt worked as an assistant for Engleder and Schulz in Regensburg before returning to his father's business as a partner. After his marriage, he moved to Vienna, hoping to find better opportunities and artistic inspiration, as he had been particularly praised by Viennese violin makers. Despite facing significant difficulties in obtaining master rights in Vienna, he quickly earned the respect and friendship of his colleagues through his competence and upright character. He was active as a maker in Vienna around 1850-1866. In 1862, he was awarded a medal in London. Following the death of Helmich in Berlin in 1866, Patzelt was appointed as the artistic director of the Grimm workshop there.

Characteristics

Model: Patzelt adopted a classical Italian model for his instruments.
Workmanship: His instruments are noted for their fine and accurate workmanship.
Brand: Instruments were branded with 'J.F.P. + A.O.'.
Labels: Some of his violins contain a second label with the inscription: "Fluch jeder Hand, die im Unverstand / Von der Geig' was scheert, die ist nichts werth" (Curse each hand, which through imprudence does anything unworthy to this violin).
Notable Instruments: The violinist Hellmesberger owned an excellent quartet of his instruments, and both Laub and Miska Hauser preferred to play his violins. His son reportedly still possessed a particularly excellent viola made by Patzelt in 1862.

Recorded labels

‘Fluch jeder Hand, die im Unverstand
Von der Geig’ was scheert, die ist nichts werth’ (Curse each hand, which through imprudence does anything unworthy to this violin)John Dilworth

Influence and legacy

Training: Johann Ferdinand Patzelt was the son and pupil of Ferdinand Patzelt (I).
Apprenticeship: He worked as an assistant for Engleder and Schulz, specifically in Regensburg.
Awards: Johann Ferdinand Patzelt was awarded a medal in London in 1862.
Patronage: His instruments were favored by notable musicians such as Hellmesberger, Laub, and Miska Hauser.
Family Continuity: His son reportedly still owned a viola made by Patzelt in 1862.

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Biographies

The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:

John Dilworth+

PATZELT, Johann Ferdinand Born 1828 Budapest Hungary, died 1876 Berlin Germany. Son and pupil of Ferdinand Patzelt (I), above. Worked for Engleder and Schulz. Later established in Vienna. Director of the Grimmschen company in Berlin from 1866. Medal awarded in London 1862. Well-regarded connoisseur and restorer. Classical Italian model. Fine and accurate workmanship. Brand: ‘J.F.P. + A.O.’ J. Ferdinand Patzelt, Geigenmacher / in Wien anno 1862. Additional label: ‘Fluch jeder Hand, die im Unverstand / Von der Geig’ was scheert, die ist nichts werth’ (Curse each hand, which through imprudence does anything unworthy to this violin)

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+

Schüler seines Vaters Ferdinand P. Als Gehilfe arbeitete er eine Zeit
lang bei Engleder und bei Schulz in Regensburg und trat nach seiner Heimkehr im väterlichen Geschäfte als Theilhaber ein. Nach seiner Verheirathung
siedelte er nach Wien über, wo er ein besseres Fortkommen und mehr künstlerische
Anregung zu finden hoffte, da er gerade von den Wiener Geigenmachern
stets besonders gelobt wurde. Als er aber kam und sich um das Wiener Meisterrecht
bewarb, wurden ihm die grössten Schwierigkeiten in den Weg gelegt.
Durch seine Tüchtigkeit und seinen lauteren Charakter erwarb er sich sehr
bald die Achtung und Freundschaft aller Fachgenossen. Im Jahre 1862 erhielt
in London eine Medaille, und als 1866 Helmich in Berlin starb, wurde er als
künstlerischer Leiter der Grimm’schen Werkstatt dorthin berufen. Er war ein
feiner Künstler, ein tüchtiger Geiger und ein genauer Kenner der alten Meisterwerke.
In manchen seiner Geigen findet sich ein zweiter Zettel mit dem Spruch:

»Fluch jeder Hand, die im Unverstand
Von der Geig was scheert, die ist nichts werth.«

Hellmesberger besass ein vorzügliches Quartett von ihm; Laub und Miska Hauser spielten mit Vorliebe seine Geigen, und sein Sohn besitzt noch jetzt eine Viola von ihm aus dem Jahre 1862, die in jeder Beziehung ausgezeichnet ist.

Cecie Stainer+

A maker in Vienna about 1850-66.

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