Violin by Johann Hornsteiner, 1913

In the year 1848 the young Mittenwald violin maker Johann Hornsteiner left his home and opened his atelier in the town of Passau in Lower Bavaria. Within a short time it developed to be a successful family run enterprise that was in business over many generations. Three "Johann Hornsteiners", the founder, his son and his grandson, established the Passau branch of this famous dynasty of violin makers, that gained excellent reputation, as proved by many golden and silver medals from international exhibitions. The violin offered here bears the original label of Johann III Hornsteiner and reads the year 1913. He was born in 1887 in Passau and was educated at the famous Mittenwald violin making school from 1903 to 1906. Under his guidance excellent instruments were built in the Hornsteiner workshops, but also his own works were renowned and sought-after pieces. This violin is a good and successful example for these instruments that features an individual style. The very flat model has eyecatchingly low ribs and expresses the Mittenwald roots of Johann Hornsteiner´s art by the specific design of the large scroll. Vertical ff-holes and a beautiful, red-brown colored varnish over a bright ground complete the tasteful appearance of this German violin. It is preserved in good condition and has a minor repair at the button; we offer this instrument ready to play after a complete work-over by our luthiers. The large voice of the violin is rich in volume, warm, mature and very resonant in the upper ranges.