Amati > Makers Archive > E > Otto Erdesz

Otto Erdesz

Bratislava, New York, Toronto, 1917–2000

2000 Toronto Canada Moved to Budapest in 1927 and studied as an artist at the Academia of Fine Arts. Active violin maker from 1941. Self taught, guided by Max Frirsz. Emigrated to New York in 1956 following the Russian invasion of Hungary. — John Dilworth

Worked Bratislava, New York, Toronto
Made Viola, Violin
Viola by Otto Erdesz, Budapest, 20th Century
Violin by Otto Erdesz. Sold by Amati — from the archive.

Instruments

Auction Price History

Highest auction price

£15,953

40 results

Type Details Auction house Sold Price
ViolaUnlabelled, inscribed to the inside back Otto Erdez Budapest Hungary Lot 41TarisioMarch 2024£9,221est. $ 10,000-15,000
Labelled Otto Erdesz Lot 47November 2023£6,293est. $ 6,000-9,000
Labelled Otto Erdesz, inscribed to the inside back Otto Erdesz Budapest Hungary Lot 49November 2023£6,777est. $ 7,000-10,000
Unlabelled, inscribed to the inside back Otto Erdesz, Budapest, New York, T.A. Lot 30March 2023£15,953est. € 10.000-15.000
Labelled Otto Erdesz Budapest New York made for Rembert Wurlitzer Inc. 1967, inscribed Otto Erdesz ... Lot 43November 2021£15,119est. $ 6,000-9,000
Labelled Otto Erdesz Lot 51November 2020£9,060est. $ 7,000-10,000
Labelled Laurentius Guadagnini Pater, & alumnus Antoni Stradivari, fecit Placentie Anno 1741 Lot 166May 2019£6,412est. $ 7,000-10,000
Unlabelled Lot 135February 2019£6,216est. $ 7,000-10,000
Labelled Otto Erdesz, signed to the inside back Otto Erdesz Budapest Lot 61November 2018£6,851est. $ 8,000-12,000
Labelled Heredes q. Gaspato, signed to the inside back Lot 43February 2018£6,010est. $ 8,000-12,000
Labelled Otto Erdesz, inscribed to the inside back Otto Erdesz, Budapest, Hungary Lot 47June 2017£7,080est. £ 6,000-9,000
Labelled Alexander Galiani, fecit Neapoli 1729, inscribed to the inside back Lot 179May 2017£6,473est. $ 7,000-10,000
Unlabelled Lot 38May 2017£7,398est. $ 8,000-12,000
Unlabelled, signed internally Lot 40June 2016£9,440est. £ 8,000-12,000
Labelled Otto Erdesz Lot 146May 2016£4,569est. $ 7,000-10,000
Labelled Otto Edersz Lot 54May 2016£5,815est. $ 7,000-10,000
Labelled Otto Erdesz Lot 79May 2015£15,248est. $ 6,000-9,000
Unlabelled, signed to the inside back Otto Erdesz ... Lot 272February 2015£3,439est. $ 4,000-6,000
Labelled Joseph Guarnerius ... 1717, signed to the inside back Otto Erdesz, Buda... Lot 197May 2013£4,238est. $ 6,000-9,000
Labelled Otto Erdesz Lot 76November 2012£5,618est. $ 6,000-9,000
Labelled Otto Erdesz Lot 30April 2012£7,045est. $ 8,000-12,000
Viola41.1 cm New York, 1965April 2010£7,070
Viola42.9 cm Toronto, 1980 c.April 2010£3,732
Viola41,5 cm 1975 c.May 2008£2,710
Violin35.8 cm 1975 c.May 2008£2,409
Violin35.7 cm 1975 c.May 2008£2,710
Violin35.7 cm 1975 c.May 2008£1,686
Violin35.6 cm 1975 c.May 2008£1,806
Violin35.5 cm 1975 c.May 2008£1,806
Violin35.5 cm 1975 c.May 2008£1,806
Violin35.4 cm 1975 c.May 2008£1,686
Violin35.4 cm 1975 c.May 2008£1,957
Violin35.6 cm 1970 c.October 2007£2,284
Viola42.5 cm 1970 c.May 2007£3,178
Viola42.4 cm 1990 c.October 2002£2,903
Violin1965 c.November 2001£2,447
Violin1977November 1999£2,530
Violin1960 c.May 1999£2,286
ViolinMay 1996£2,105
Viola41.3 cm 1967December 1984£1,941

Biographies

The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:

John Dilworth+

ERDESZ, Otto Born 1917 Bratislava Hungary, d.2000 Toronto Canada Moved to Budapest in 1927 and studied as an artist at the Academia of Fine Arts. Active violin maker from 1941. Self taught, guided by Max Frirsz. Emigrated to New York in 1956 following the Russian invasion of Hungary. Initially established a textile design business, having left his own instrument collection in Budapest. Returned to violin making in 1963, selling his work through Wurlitzer in New York and Moennig in Philadelphia. Worked in Israel 1973-1974, Toronto 1974-1983, and Fort Lee, New Jersey from 1983, although he moved freely between Toronto and New Jersey in his final years. Early work on various classical models, but later adopted a Guarneri pattern. Introduced a new viola design in 1977, with the upper treble bout cut away to allow easier access to the upper positions. Spirit varnish in shaded antique finish. Instruments made in the USA utilise local timber. About 2,000 violins and 1,359 violas completed. [Wenberg]

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