$8,500.00
A Fine Czech Violin by Otokar Frantisek Spidlen, 1935
A fine violin made in Prague by the Ukrainian born lutiao, Otokar Frantisek Spidlen (1896-1958) in 1935 on Jungmannova St, where he moved the family firm in 1926. The one piece back measures 354mm and is made from medium grained, highly figured maple, with matching selections for the ribs and scroll, and a very musical spruce for the top. Built after Guarneri, with high quality rosewood fittings and Vision strings, with a Goldbrokat ‘E.’ It’s voice is exquisite, supple and sweet, with ample power and vibrant clarity.
Otokar Frantisek Spidlen was born in Kiev in 1896. In addition to apprenticing with his father, Frantisek Spidlen (1867-1916), he worked for Jindrich Jindrisek and then in Moscow as the violin maker for the Imperial Academy. He became head of the family firm when his father passed in 1916 and moved his workshop and home to Jungmannova St in 1926, where the fourth generation of the Spidlen family still lives and works in the family tradition. Although, the premises was confiscated for a time after he was labeled as an enemy of the people, subsequent to the communist revolution in 1948. His son, Premysl Otokar Spidlen (1920-2010) became one of the most highly regarded makers of the 20th century, a reputation and family tradition which Jan Spidlen (b. 1967-) honors as the fourth generation from this renowned family of makers.
Otokar Frantisek Spidlen was born in Kiev in 1896. In addition to apprenticing with his father, Frantisek Spidlen (1867-1916), he worked for Jindrich Jindrisek and then in Moscow as the violin maker for the Imperial Academy. He became head of the family firm when his father passed in 1916 and moved his workshop and home to Jungmannova St in 1926, where the fourth generation of the Spidlen family still lives and works in the family tradition. Although, the premises was confiscated for a time after he was labeled as an enemy of the people, subsequent to the communist revolution in 1948. His son, Premysl Otokar Spidlen (1920-2010) became one of the most highly regarded makers of the 20th century, a reputation and family tradition which Jan Spidlen (b. 1967-) honors as the fourth generation from this renowned family of makers.