Johann Christoph Leidolff
Vienna, 1690–1758
Johann Christoph Leidolff (1690-1758) was a prominent Viennese luthier, son and pupil of Nikolaus L., who served the Viennese court. He was known for producing instruments, including violins and an Altquinton, often based on Stainer or Amati models, characterized by neat finishes, fine materials, and distinctive varnishes. His workshop was substantial, and his instruments are preserved in notable collections.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
26 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label, later head Lot 816 | Vichy | December 2025 | £2,198est. € 1.000-1.500 |
| Cello | Labelled Joannes Christophorus Leidolff, fecit Viennae 1758, soundholes recut, lower ribs later Lot 25 | Tarisio | October 2024 | £14,045est. € 15.000-22.000 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label Lot 354 | Vichy | June 2021 | £3,527est. € 2.500-3.000 |
| Violin | Two-piece back of plainish wood, varnish of a reddish brown colour on a golden ground Lot 2473 | Gardiner Houlgate | December 2019 | £3,360est. £ 1,500-2,500 |
| Violin | Two-piece back of plainish wood, varnish of a reddish brown colour on a golden ground Lot 34 | Gardiner Houlgate | October 2019 | £3,120est. £ 1,500-2,200 |
| Viola | Two-piece back of irregular small curl, varnish of yellow brown colour Lot 3 | Dorotheum | November 2016 | £2,891est. € 2.600 |
| Violin | Violin, 1740 c. Lot 9 | Dorotheum | November 2016 | £1,112est. € 600 |
| Violin | Two-piece back of narrow curl, table of fine grain, varnish of a brown colour Lot 6 | Dorotheum | April 2016 | £3,294est. € 3.400 |
| Viola | Labelled Johann Christoph Leidolff, Lauten und Geigenmacher in Wienn, 1745 Lot 140 | Brompton’s | November 2015 | £6,000est. £ 5,000-8,000 |
| Viola | Bearing the original label Joannes Christophorus Leidolff, fecit Viennae 1757, bearing the number 3512 Lot 130 | Brompton’s | March 2015 | £4,800est. £ 4,000-6,000 |
| Violin | Two-piece back of medium curl, table of fine grain, varnish of a brown colour Lot 13 | Dorotheum | October 2014 | £2,367est. € 2.200 |
| Violin | Labelled Johann Christoph Leidolff, Lauten und Geigenmacher in Wienn, 1759, revarnished Lot 223 | Tarisio | February 2014 | £3,059est. $ 1,500-2,200 |
| Cello | Bearing the original label Lot 146 | Brompton’s | October 2013 | £7,380est. £ 6,000-8,000 |
| Cello | REPARAVIT 1840 Lot 65 | Skinners | October 2012 | £16,390est. $ 10,000-12,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Johann Christoph Leidolff, Lauten und Geigenmacher, in Wienn, 1755 Lot 360 | Tarisio | February 2012 | £2,465est. $ 2,000-3,000 |
| Violin | 36.1 cm 1761(?) | — | December 2011 | £1,587 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Vienna, Mid- 18th C. | — | March 2011 | £1,800 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm Vienna, 1727 | — | November 2008 | £2,994 |
| Cello | 75.0 cm Vienna, 1745 c. | — | March 2008 | £3,125 |
| Violin | 36.3 cm Vienna, 1740 c. | — | May 2006 | £1,042 |
| Violin | Vienna, 1753 | — | November 2005 | £1,500 |
| Violin | 1750 c. | — | November 2000 | £643 |
| Violin | 17-- | — | March 1992 | £3,520 |
| Violin | 1748 | — | March 1990 | £660 |
| Violin | 1748 | — | October 1986 | £902 |
| Violin | 1761 | — | November 1983 | £660 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Johann Christoph Leidolff (1690-1758) was the son of Nicolaus Leidolff. He was born in 1690 and died in 1758 in Vienna, Austria. He was appointed luthier to the Viennese court. He resided in the "Wübmer Viertl" and took his civic oath on September 2, 1715. He appeared in tax lists from 1749 to 1758. After his death, his widow continued the business until her own death in 1770.
Characteristics
- Models
- He produced instruments based on Stainer or Amati models, which were sometimes described as fairly crude.
- Workmanship
- His instruments were neatly finished and made with fine materials. His violins are noted for their beautiful form, good wood, and tone.
- Varnish
- Early works featured a good dark brown varnish. Later, he introduced a red tint laid over a dark stained ground.
- Materials
- He preferred to make the rib linings from hard wood.
- Notable Instruments
- An Altquinton in gamba form from 1719 is held in the royal collection in Berlin (No. 873). This instrument is notable for its purpurblau (purple-blue) colored back, ribs, and pegbox, which also features a Moor's head. Violins by him are also found in Stift St. Florian (Upper Austria, undated) and the Schottenstift in Vienna (from 1748).
- Johann Christoph Leidolff
Lauten und Geigenmacher Joannes Christophorus Leidolff
fecit Viennae. 1748John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Training: Johann Christoph Leidolff was the son of Nikolaus L. and, according to his work, also his pupil.
- Continuity: After his death, his widow continued the business until 1770.
- Collections: Works by Johann Christoph Leidolff are found in many collections.
Further Information
- Labels: His labels include "Johann Christoph Leidolff / Lauten und Geigenmacher" and "Joannes Christophorus Leidolff / fecit Viennae. 1748".
- Workshop: He maintained a large workshop with several assistants, which sometimes led to slightly inconsistent production.
- Residence: He lived in the "Wübmer Viertl".
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
LEIDOLFF (LEYDOLFF), Johann Christoph Born 1690, died 1758 Vienna Austria. Son of Nicolaus Leidolff, below. Appointed luthier to the Viennese court. Several assistants in large workshop, so production is slightly inconsistent. Fairly crude Stainer or Amati models; neatly finished and fine materials. Early work with good dark brown varnish. Later introduced a red tint laid over a dark stained ground. Johann Christoph Leidolff / Lauten und Geigenmacher Joannes Christophorus Leidolff / fecit Viennae. 1748
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Sohn von Nikolaus L. und seiner Arbeit nach auch sein Schüler. Er wohnte
im »Wübmer Viertl«, legte am 2. September 1715 den Bürgereid ab und
kommt in den Steuerlisten von 1749—1758 vor. Nach seinem Tode führte seine
Wittwe das Geschäft fort, bis sie selbst im Jahre 1770 starb. Seine Geigen sind
schön in der Form gemacht, gut im Holz und im Ton. Die Bereifung der
Zargen fertigte er gerne aus hartem Holze an. Um 1740 war er bereits Hof-
Lauten- und Geigenmacher. Arbeiten von ihm sind in vielen Sammlungen zu
finden, so ein Altquinton in Gambenform von 1719 in der kgl. Sammlung in Berlin
(No. 873), das auch dadurch bemerkenswerth erscheint, dass Boden, Zargen und
Wirbelkasten purpurblau gefärbt sind. Am Wirbelkasten befindet sich ein
Mohrenkopf. Geigen von ihm besitzt ferner das Stift St. Florian (Oberösterreich,
ohne Datum) und das Schottenstift in Wien (von 1748).
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