Michael Klotz

History

Michael Klotz (1749-1814) was born in 1749 and died in 1814 in Mittenwald, Germany, as documented by John Dilworth. He was the son of Johann Karl Klotz. According to Dilworth, his own labels are rare, and many instruments attributed to him have likely been given labels of Joseph Klotz. Cecie Stainer notes that a great many violins bearing "Stainer" labels were actually made by members of the Klotz family and their imitators, with the original "Klotz" labels often destroyed and spurious "Stainer" ones substituted. Stainer suggests that these makers might have used a "Stainer" label instead of their own when they produced a particularly good instrument, making authentic instruments of the Klotz family not common. However, Willibald Leo Lütgendorff presents conflicting information, stating that according to the family tree of Mathias Klotz, there was only one Michael Klotz, son of Johann Carl, who died as a child in 1743 and therefore could not have made violins. Lütgendorff concludes that the "Geigenmacher Michael Klotz" appearing between approximately 1750 and 1790, if he existed at all, did not belong to the lineage of Mathias Klotz.

Craft

• Decoration: John Dilworth describes Michael Klotz's work as featuring ebony and ivory inlay on the outer edges and around the scroll, with some instruments utilizing bird’s eye maple for the backs.
• Model: His instruments exhibit Amatisé work, characterized by the distinctive Klotz scroll and extended curved wings on the soundholes, as detailed by Dilworth.
• Varnish: Dilworth notes the varnish as being of good quality, thin in texture, transparent, and available in both dark and light shades.
• Labels: An example of his labeling includes "Michael Kloz in Mittenwald an der Iser. An. 1789," according to Dilworth.
• General Quality: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, however, describes violins bearing the name Michael Klotz as "fairly ordinarily crafted" (ziemlich gewöhnlich gearbeitete Geigen).

Influence

• Family Tradition: As the son of Johann Karl Klotz, Michael Klotz was part of a prominent Mittenwald violin-making family, suggesting training within the family workshop.
• Stylistic Influence: His "Amatisé work" indicates an influence from the Amati school of violin making.

Legacy

• Authenticity Challenges: The rarity of authentic instruments bearing Michael Klotz's own label, due to the practice of dealers substituting them with spurious "Stainer" or Joseph Klotz labels, as noted by John Dilworth and Cecie Stainer, significantly impacts his documented legacy.
• Historical Discrepancy: A notable aspect of his legacy is the historical controversy surrounding his very existence as a violin maker within the Matthäus Klotz lineage, as highlighted by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.

Further Information

• Workshop Location: Michael Klotz worked in Mittenwald, Germany, a renowned center for violin making.
• Label Inscription: An example of his label reads "Michael Kloz in Mittenwald an der Iser. An. 1789."

Summary

Michael Klotz (1749-1814) was a violin maker from Mittenwald, Germany, identified by John Dilworth as the son of Johann Karl Klotz. His instruments are characterized by Amatisé work, a distinctive Klotz scroll, extended soundhole wings, and good quality, transparent varnish, sometimes featuring ebony and ivory inlay or bird’s eye maple backs. However, authentic instruments bearing his own label are rare, often replaced by spurious "Stainer" or Joseph Klotz labels by dealers, as noted by Dilworth and Cecie Stainer. Furthermore, Willibald Leo Lütgendorff raises significant doubts about his historical identity, suggesting that the Michael Klotz of this period might not belong to the main Matthäus Klotz lineage, despite instruments bearing his name being known.