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Offered from a private collection is a beautiful and exceptionally uncommon 18th-century Tyrolean violin, attributed to Mathias Griesser of Innsbruck.
The violin has a striking Stainer-influenced model, beautifully figured maple and transparent golden-amber varnish with a rich, natural patina. It is full of individual character and has the unmistakable appearance of a fine old Alpine instrument.
It is also a wonderful playing violin. The response is quick and easy, the upper register is sweet and singing, and the lower strings have warmth, depth and surprising power. Its sound is colorful, mature and distinctly old-world.
I have also had the rare opportunity to hear this violin played alongside an authenticated Jacob Stainer and a Brothers Amati. In that distinguished company, its quality was unmistakable. It did not sound out of place, possessing the refinement, depth, complexity and individual character one associates with important old instruments. Whatever conclusion is ultimately reached about its authorship, its musical quality speaks for itself.
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ATTRIBUTION AND DATING
The violin was formerly attributed to Georg Klotz of Mittenwald. Peter Köstler, one of Germany’s leading violin experts, believed it dated from the late 17th or early 18th century and said that it reminded him of a small number of instruments he had encountered from that period. Tarisio also placed it in the early 18th century.
After extensive research and comparison, I believe the violin is the work of Mathias Griesser. Its model, arching, construction, scroll, f-holes and varnish correspond closely with other instruments associated with this rare Innsbruck maker, including the documented Griesser violin in the Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum.
The violin bears a printed Mathias Griesser label. The date now appears to read 1728, although examination under magnification and in detailed photographs suggests that the visible “2” may have been written or reinforced over an original “7,” giving a possible original date of 1778.
Dendrochronological examination by Antonio Baici of Zurich in 2024 found a latest measurable tree ring of 1765. A date of 1778 would fit naturally with this result and with the final working period of Griesser, who lived from 1698 to 1784. The complete report is included.
CONDITION
The violin is in very good condition for its age and is ready to play. Importantly, it has no soundpost crack, no bass-bar crack and no associated patches. The table has not been doubled.
The original scroll has a well-executed neck graft, and the pegbox has been bushed and reinforced. There are minor repaired cracks and normal signs of age, but the instrument is structurally sound and well preserved.
PROVENANCE
By 1960, the violin was owned and played professionally by Maurits Fromberg, a violinist in the Danish Radio Symphony. It later passed through the collection of Karl Herold Jensen.
A later repair label reads:
“Reparirt Georg Tiefenbrunner in München.”
The violin was appraised in 2021 by Ulf Eriksson at DKK 85,000, approximately $13,000.
MEASUREMENTS
Length of back: 354 mm
Upper bouts: 170 mm
Middle bouts: 105 mm
Lower bouts: 207 mm
The violin is accompanied by the dendrochronological report, appraisal and provenance information, and research concerning Mathias Griesser.
This is a very uncommon and fascinating violin with a wonderful sound and a history that has not yet been fully uncovered. There remains much for its future owner to research and discover. I believe it to be an extremely rare violin by Mathias Griesser, and I hope it will pass to the right home, someone who will appreciate it both as a beautiful playing instrument and as a remarkable piece of violin-making history.
