Leonard Maussiell

History

Leonard Maussiell (1685-after 1765) was a distinguished instrument maker who was active in Nuremberg, Germany. According to John Dilworth's authoritative work, The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers, Maussiell was born in 1685 and his death occurred sometime after 1765. His earliest documented work dates back to approximately 1707. Cecie Stainer's A Dictionary of Violin Makers further specifies his period of activity in Nuremberg as being between 1720 and 1750. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, in his comprehensive volume Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart, suggests that Maussiell likely immigrated from Bohemia. Lütgendorff also notes that the latest known instrument crafted by Maussiell is a violin from 1757, which is currently preserved in the Benedictine Abbey of St. Margareth near Prague.

Craft

• Workmanship: Leonard Maussiell's instruments are consistently characterized by their very fine and excellent workmanship, often exhibiting a meticulously finished quality.
• Model Influences: He frequently adopted the Stainer pattern for his instruments, with his overall model also showing resemblances to the work of Tecchler.
• Arching and Edges: A distinctive feature of his instruments is a deep edge flute that transitions into a medium-high arch. Some pieces also incorporate raised edges.
• Scroll Design: Maussiell typically crafted tightly wound scrolls; however, he was also known to replace these with intricately carved decorative elements such as lion's heads or women's heads.
• Varnish Characteristics: He utilized a variety of varnishes, including shades of yellow, brown, thin yellow, thick lustrous golden-yellow, and brown-red.
• Instrument Specialization: Beyond violins, Maussiell was also highly regarded for his skill as a zither maker.

Influence

• Stylistic Influences: Leonard Maussiell's instrument-making was significantly shaped by the established patterns and stylistic approaches of both Stainer and Tecchler.
• Geographical Origin: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff proposes that Maussiell likely immigrated to Nuremberg from Bohemia.

Legacy

• Museum Collections: The Germanisches Museum in Nuremberg proudly preserves a Taschengeige (pocket violin) and a Viola da Gamba dated 1743, both crafted by Maussiell.
• Historical Collections: A Chorzither from 1735, made by Maussiell, was historically part of the esteemed Hammer collection located in Stockholm.
• Significant Surviving Works: The latest known instrument attributed to Maussiell is a violin from 1757, which is currently housed in the Benedictine Abbey of St. Margareth near Prague.

Further Information

• Labeling Practices: Leonard Maussiell employed both German and Latin inscriptions on his labels. Common examples include "Leonhardus Maussiell / me fecit Nurmberg. An 1736" and "Leonhard Maussiell, Lautten / und Geigenmacher im Nürm- / berg, 1743".
• Branding Marks: Certain instruments bear his brand mark, which consists of the initials "L.M." alongside an imperial eagle.
• Orthographic Detail: Notably, on his labels, he often rendered the name of his city, Nuremberg, as "Nürmberg."
• Historical Misidentification: Due to occasional erroneous references as "Mansielli," he was sometimes mistakenly identified as an Italian maker.

Summary

Leonard Maussiell (1685-after 1765) was a distinguished German instrument maker based in Nuremberg, active from approximately 1707 to at least 1757. He is noted for his very fine workmanship, often following the Stainer pattern with influences from Tecchler, and for his distinctive scrolls, which sometimes featured carved lion's or women's heads. Maussiell utilized a range of varnishes and was also highly regarded as a zither maker. His instruments are preserved in significant collections, including the Germanisches Museum in Nuremberg, and he is known for his specific labeling and branding practices.