Johann Uldarichus Eberle

History

Johann Uldarichus Eberle (1699-1768) was born in 1699 in Vils, Austria, and died in 1768 in Prague, Czech Republic.

He was a pupil of Thomas Edlinger (III) in Prague and established his own workshop in 1727.

He acquired Prague citizenship on February 20, 1726, and is considered one of the best makers of the Prague school.

Craft

• Model: He primarily used a Stainer model, sometimes incorporating elements of Cremonese styles, reflecting an awareness of Italian forms.
• Scrolls: His scrolls are described by John Dilworth as stubbornly Tyrolean, featuring a swan-necked pegbox and an extended final turn of the volute.
• Body and Arching: While scrolls were Tyrolean, the body and arching forms sometimes showed an awareness of Cremonese styles.
• Edges and Corners: Instruments typically featured small edges and short corners.
• Soundholes: He crafted finely cut, upright soundholes of Stainer form.
• Varnish: His instruments were finished with a red-brown varnish of soft oil, which was prone to craquelure, or sometimes amber or brown varnish.
• Materials: Fine materials were consistently used in his work.
• Other Instruments: In addition to violins, he also made viola d'amores, violas, and cellos.
• Workmanship: Cecie Stainer notes his excellent workmanship and describes him as a very clever imitator of Cremona violins, though his instruments sometimes lacked the full round tone of the Italian instruments.

Influence

• Teacher: He was a pupil of Thomas Edlinger (III) in Prague.
• Training: According to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, he learned violin making in his homeland before coming to Prague as an assistant to Thomas Edlinger, though he was not a relative of this master.

Legacy

• Labels: Examples of his labels include "Joannes Udalricus Eberle / fecit Pragae 1767" and "Joan. Udalricus Eberll, / fecit Pragae. 1744", as cited by John Dilworth. Cecie Stainer notes a label "Joannes Ulricus Eberle, fecit Prague, 1759" and another in a restored viola d'amore: "Joannes Ulricus Eberle, me reparavit Praga-, anno 1749".
• Preserved Instruments: George Hart mentions that Herr Carli Zoeller owned a Viola d'Amore  by Eberle, dated 1730, which was in excellent preservation.

Further Information

• Parents: He was the son of Sebastian Eberle and Ursula, born Schonger.

Summary

Johann Uldarichus Eberle (1699-1768) was a prominent violin maker of the Prague school, known for his excellent craftsmanship and imitation of Cremonese styles, often incorporating Tyrolean scroll characteristics. A pupil of Thomas Edlinger (III), he established his own workshop in Prague in 1727 and produced violins, violas, cellos, and viola d'amores.