Miksa (I) Frirsz

John Dilworth

FRIRSZ, Miksa (I) Born 1884, died 1952 Budapest Hungary. Leading maker of his time and period. Student of Paul Pilat 1899-1902. Went on to work for Karl Niedt in Würzburg before establishing his own shop at 1 Raday Street, Budapest 1908. Assisted there by Jozsef Mirth and Ferenc Mundl. For the duration of the First World War he closed his shop and worked alone from his home at 16 Kalvaria Square. Joined in 1932 by elder son Miksa jr., and in 1942 by younger son Martin. This arrangement was again disturbed, this time by the Second World War during which Miksa jr. worked for Remenyi. The Frirsz shop remained in business until 1950. Up until 1940 Miksa snr. was actively contributing to Bárány’s notorious ‘English Workshop’, fabricating copies of old Italian work for export, mainly to England and the USA. Diploma at 1936 Budapest Trade Fair and ‘Golden Wreath’ at the 1937 International Handwork Exhibition. Violins on Stradivari, Gaurneri, and Nemessanyi patterns, made with great skill and finesse. Golden-orange varnish, sometimes shaded in imitation of age. Maximilian Frirsz / fecit Budapest anno 19.. Maximilian Frirsz / fecit Budapest anno 19.. / Aranykoszorus Mester [Benedek]