Description
We are currently offering a violin by Benedikt Wagner (Ellwangen) from the second half of the 18th century in our workshop. It was extensively repaired and re-Baroqued in our workshop approximately ten years ago.
The violin possesses a powerful, expressive, and resonant tone and a light response.
The instrument features a fine- grained spruce and a plain local maple back. The varnish is presumably spirit-based and a light, transparent brownish color.
Body length: 359 mm
Lower bout: 204 mm
Upper bout: 167 mm
Middle bout: 113.5 mm
Front stop : 195 mm
Neck length: 130 mm
Price: on request
Benedikt Wagner was born on October 13, 1704, in Halsbach (formerly a parish with Dürrwangen) near Dinkelsbühl. His parents were Simon and Magdalena (née Riedinger) Wagner. He likely worked in Duerrwangen until 1750. From 1750 onwards, he moved with his family to Ellwangen, where he also worked as a musician, among other things. Even upon his arrival in Ellwangen, Wagner was a significant lute and violin maker. He likely worked in Duerrwangen beforehand. This can be deduced from the labels he used on his violins until 1751: “Benedict Wagner, violin and lute maker in Duerrwangen, Anno 17…”. From around 1755, the wording on the labels reads: “Benedict Wagner, High Princely Court Lute and Violin Maker in Ellwangen, Anno 17…”. The earliest surviving label appears to date from 1758. Furthermore, Wagner branded his instruments with “Ellwang” below the endpin and “Wagner” below the button. Unfortunately, it is not yet known who Wagner’s teacher was. Due to the high quality of the instruments he crafted, self-taught training is unlikely. However, his instruments do not reveal any connection to masters of his contemporaries. Kelm attributes to him a certain affinity with the Venetian school, particularly Gobetti and Deconet. At least four of his sons also later worked as violin makers and musicians: Leonhard Josef (1735 Duerrwangen – after 1790 Konstanz), Sebastian (1749 Duerrwangen – 1813 Meersburg), Benedict Jr. (1745 Duerrwangen – [unknown] Ellwangen), and Xaver (1758 Ellwangen –1819 Ellwangen).
Upon the death of Benedikt Wagner on April 14, 1794 ,in Ellwangen, the workshop was succeeded by his son Xaver.
Source:
Kelm, Ortwin: „Der Hochfürstliche HofLauten- und Geigenmacher Benedict Wagner und seine Söhne, Geigenbau im 18. Jahrhundert in Ellwangen, Konstanz, Meersburg und Chamberry, umfassende Darstellung geschichtlicher und kunsthandwerklicher Gegebenheiten“, Heilbronn 2010
