Sven Beckman

BECKMAN, Sven Born 1717 Askersund, died 1762 Stockholm Sweden. Apprenticed to J. F. Weidemann, dancing master and instrument dealer, in 1736. Received state sponsorship to travel abroad to develop his lutherie, during which he may have worked in Königsberg. Returned to Stockholm 1740. Took over the business of Wiedemann and appointed Instrument Maker to the Swedish royal court 1756. The leading maker in Sweden.(alongside Hellstedt) although he died in poverty. Teacher of Ohlberg. Historical accounts indicate he was prolific maker of both plucked and bowed instruments, but very few survive. Several small cellos of very refined, somewhat Florentine appearance. A quinton with golden-yellow varnish in the Stockholm Museum of Music. Other instruments have a rather chippy dark red-brown coating. Some have an ornately carved back button, in the manner of some ‘Vieux Paris’ makers. Branded beneath button: ‘Sven Beckman’. Printed label: Sveno Beckman i Stockholm / Anno 1758 [Nilsson]

Seine Geigen sind von roher Arbeit; besser sind
seine Lauten, die häufiger vorkommen. Eine solche
mit einem Rococo-Ornament befand sich in der Sammlung
Hammer in Stockholm.

A maker at Stockholm about 1700-50. His instruments are roughly made.