Table of Contents

Karl Hofner

Auction price history

Highest auction price

£1,796

Type	Details	Sold	Price
Cello	Badly damaged and restored, repaired cracks on the table and further restoration on the back lower bouts	September 2024	£207
Violin	35.9 cm Schombach, Bohemia	October 2011	£667
Violin	36.0 cm Schoenbach, 1927	December 2009	£1,104
Violin	36.2 cm 1890 c.	November 2008	£1,440
Viola	40.8 cm Bubinreuth, 1964	August 2008	£282
Violin	36.0 cm Schoenbach, 1927	May 2008	£1,796
Violin	1924	September 1999	£575
Viola	36.0 cm 1963	May 1999	£88
Cello		July 1998	£575
Violin	1963	March 1996	£690
Violin	1939	March 1993	£825
Violin	1910 c.	September 1992	£770
Violin	1920 c.	April 1992	£935
Violin	1928	November 1991	£572
Violin	1928	June 1989	£278
Violin	1958	June 1989	£770
Violin	1925	April 1985	£396

Maker Overview

History

Karl Hofner (1864-1955) was born in 1864 in Luby (Schönbach), Czech Republic, and died in 1955 in Bubenreuth, Germany. He was active from 1888. After the Second World War, around 1945, he removed to Bubenreuth. He established a business with his brothers Joseph and Walter.

Craft

Instruments: Commercial violins and bows were produced in various grades.
Violin Grades: These ranged from hand-made 'Master Violins' to machine-prepared 'Orchestra' and 'Concert' instruments.
Models: Instruments were reasonably accurate facsimiles of Stradivari and other classical models.
Bow Grades: Bows were also produced in equivalent grades.
Labels: Examples of labels include 'Karl Hofner / Schönbach. Bohemia', 'Antonius Stradiuarius Cremonensis / Faciebat Anno 1713.', 'A S / Made in Czechoslovakia', 'Joseph Guarnerius fecit / Cremonae anno 1751.', and 'I H S / Made in Czechoslovakia'.

Further Information

Birthplace: Luby (Schönbach), Czech Republic.
Later Location: Bubenreuth, Germany, where he relocated around 1945.

Summary

Karl Hofner (1864-1955) was a luthier born in Luby (Schönbach), Czech Republic, who became active in 1888. He later relocated to Bubenreuth, Germany, around 1945, where he established a business with his brothers Joseph and Walter. His workshop produced commercial violins and bows in various grades, including hand-made 'Master Violins' and machine-prepared 'Orchestra' and 'Concert' instruments, often as facsimiles of classical models like those by Stradivari.

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Biographies

John Dilworth

HÖFNER, Karl Born 1864 Luby (Schönbach) Czech Republic, died 1955 Bubenreuth Germany. Active from 1888. Removed to Bubenreuth after the Second World War c.1945. Established with his brothers Joseph and Walter. Commercial violins in various grades, from hand-made ‘Master Violins’ to machine prepared ‘Orchestra’ and ‘Concert’ instruments. All reasonably accurate facsimiles of Stradivari and other classical models. Also bows of equivalent grades. Karl Hofner / Schönbach. Bohemia Antonius Stradiuarius Cremonensis / Faciebat Anno 1713. A S / Made in Czechoslovakia Joseph Guarnerius fecit / Cremonae anno 1751. I H S / Made in Czechoslovakia