Carl Nicolas Sawicki

Life

Carl Nicolas SAWICKI (1792-1850) was born in 1792 in Lviv, Ukraine, and died in 1850 in Vienna, Austria. in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers, he was considered the finest maker of the Vienna school. He settled in Vienna and, by 1824, was one of the city's best violin makers in Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart. John Dilworth also states that his authentic work is relatively rare, and false labels are unfortunately found in inferior instruments.

Characteristics

Workmanship

John Dilworth describes his workmanship as very distinguished and accurate.

Models

He made fine copies of Stradivari and Guarneri, with Henri Poidras specifically mentioning very fine copies of Guarnerius del Gesu. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff further notes that he worked primarily after Guarneri del Gesù and created such a faithful copy of Paganini's violin that the great violinist himself was delighted.

Varnish

His varnish is described by John Dilworth as excellent golden-orange or red, possessing good depth and transparency.

Materials

He used handsomely flamed maple and close straight-grained spruce.

Instruments

He is known to have made violins, violas, and cellos.

Notable Features

One violin from 1848 is known for its extensive mother-of-pearl inlay.

Influence and legacy

• Training: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states that he learned in Prague or Vienna.
• Endorsements: The renowned violinist Paganini, after seeing Sawicki's copy of his own violin, declared him an "extraordinary genius" (ausserordentliches Genie) in a testimonial dated August 10, 1828, praising both his new violins and his unparalleled skill in repairing all string instruments.