Karl Hofner
Bubenreuth, Luby, Schoenbach, 1864–1955
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.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
29 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cello | Badly damaged and restored, repaired cracks on the table and further restoration on the back lower bouts Lot 2503 | Gardiner | September 2024 | £207est. £ 100-150 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label Lot 575 | Vichy | December 2021 | £1,429est. € 1.500-1.800 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label Lot 918 | Vichy | December 2020 | £1,668est. € 1.500-2.000 |
| Small Violin | 3/4 size violin, labelled Karl Hofner, Meisterinstrumente seit 1887, No. H5G-3/4, Germany Lot 302 | Brompton’s | December 2018 | £59est. £ 50-80 |
| Cello | Bearing the maker's label, not set up Lot 38 | Kestenbaum | October 2018 | £1,652est. $ 1,800-2,400 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label Lot 124 | Kestenbaum | October 2018 | £596est. $ 400-600 |
| Cello | Without table Lot 18 | Sunrise | July 2017 | £70est. ¥ 5,000-7,000 |
| Cello | Broken cello without neck Lot 47 | Sunrise | November 2016 | £4est. ¥ 1,000-1,500 |
| Violin | Labelled Karl Hofner, Schoenbach, Bohemia 1929, Imitation: Joseph Guarnerius Lot 1403 | Gardiner Houlgate | September 2015 | £600est. £ 300-500 |
| Violin | Labelled Karl Hofner ... 1924 Lot 921 | Gardiner Houlgate | March 2014 | £444est. £ 120-180 |
| Viola | Labelled Karl Hofner Bubenreuth 1995, n. 702 Lot 927 | Gardiner Houlgate | March 2014 | £72est. £ 60-100 |
| Violin | One-piece back Lot 118 | Sunrise | November 2013 | £1,481est. ¥ 200,000-300,000 |
| Viola | Labelled Karl Hofner, Bubenreuth, 2002 Lot 876 | Gardiner Houlgate | September 2013 | £228est. £ 60-100 |
| 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 |
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Maker Overview
Life
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.
Characteristics
- 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'.
- Karl Hofner
Schönbach. Bohemia Antonius Stradiuarius Cremonensis
Faciebat Anno 1713John Dilworth - A S
Made in Czechoslovakia Joseph Guarnerius fecit
Cremonae anno 1751John Dilworth - I H S
Made in CzechoslovakiaJohn Dilworth
Further Information
- Birthplace: Luby (Schönbach), Czech Republic.
- Later Location: Bubenreuth, Germany, where he relocated around 1945.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
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
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