Thomas Andreas Hulinski

History

Thomas Andreas Hulinski (1731-1788) was born in 1731 and died in 1788 in Prague, Czech Republic. He worked in Prague, with records indicating his activity there in 1760, according to Cecie Stainer. His instruments often bear labels such as 'Thomas Hulinzky / fecit Pragae. Anno 1770' or 'Thomas Andreas Hulinzky / fecit Pragae, Anno 17..'.

Craft

• Workmanship: Thomas Andreas Hulinski's instruments are characterized by a high-arched personal Amatisé model with small soundholes, as noted by John Dilworth. Cecie Stainer describes his instruments as well-made, featuring small sound-holes and a gracefully cut scroll. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff further elaborates that his violins display a unique model with high arching, are very cleanly worked in form, and often have a beautiful dark red or reddish-brown varnish.
• Varnish: He utilized good golden or red-brown varnish, though sometimes an inferior brown spirit recipe was employed, according to John Dilworth. Lütgendorff also mentions his less appealing brown spirit varnish.
• Instruments Made: Hulinski produced violins, violas, cellos, and plucked instruments. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff specifies that, like Jos. Ant. Laske, he made harps and lutes in addition to violins.
• Specific Examples: A richly inlaid viola d'amore from 1766, featuring tortoiseshell and ivory, was exhibited in Prague in 1895. Another viola d'amore by him, with a vaulted back, strongly constricted arching of the top, and a child's head with blindfolded eyes on the pegbox, is housed in the Royal Collection of Old Musical Instruments in Berlin.
• Emblem: Many of his labels feature a lute-playing griffin as an emblem in the center.
• Tone: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that the tone of his violins cannot be described as particularly grand.

Influence

• Mentorship: Thomas Andreas Hulinski was a pupil of Eberle, specifically Joh. U. Eberle, as stated by John Dilworth and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.
• Stylistic Influences: In his work, he emulated Eberle and also shared many related characteristics with Jos. Ant. Laske, according to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.

Legacy

• Collections: A viola d'amore by Hulinski from 1766 was exhibited in Prague in 1895. Another of his viola d'amores is part of the Royal Collection of Old Musical Instruments in Berlin.

Further Information

• Labels: His labels include 'Thomas Hulinzky / fecit Pragae. Anno 1770' and 'Thomas Andreas Hulinzky / fecit Pragae, Anno 17..'.
• Emblem: A lute-playing griffin often appears as an emblem on his labels.

Summary

Thomas Andreas Hulinski (1731-1788) was a luthier who worked in Prague, Czech Republic, and was a pupil of Joh. U. Eberle. He crafted violins, violas, cellos, harps, lutes, and viola d'amores, often employing a high-arched Amatisé model with small soundholes and a gracefully cut scroll. His instruments typically featured good golden or red-brown varnish, though sometimes a less desirable brown spirit varnish was used. Hulinski's labels frequently included a lute-playing griffin emblem, and examples of his work, including a notable viola d'amore, are found in significant collections.