Otto Mockel

History

Otto Mockel (1869-1937) was born in 1869 and died in 1937 in Berlin, Germany. He was the son and pupil of Oswald Möckel and also trained with Carl Grimm. From 1890 to 1892, he worked in London for Richard Bruckner before rejoining his father in Berlin. He established himself independently in Dresden from 1908 to 1912, then succeeded to his father's shop in Ansbacher Strasse, Charlottenburg, Berlin, where he was eventually succeeded by Curt Jung.

Craft

• Workmanship: His early work focused on classical models, particularly the Guarneri forms, culminating in a fusion of Brescian and Cremonese ideas.
• Innovation: He developed a new theory for the treatment of the top and back plates, which led to surprising results and contributed significantly to understanding the principles used by the greatest violin makers.

Influence

• Mentorship: Otto Mockel was a pupil of his father, Oswald Möckel, and also received training from Carl Grimm.
• Studies: He was a finely educated artist with theoretical training who extensively studied the old Italian masters.

Legacy

• Recognition: He was acknowledged as a pre-eminent expert and connoisseur.
• Publications: Mockel was a prolific writer on the violin, founding the magazine Die Geige in 1928 and authoring the important and influential work Die Kunst des Geigenbaues (The Art of Violin-makers) in Leipzig in 1930.
• Impact: His new theory on plate treatment led to surprising results and helped to identify the fundamental principles employed by the greatest violin makers.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: He established independently in Dresden from 1908 to 1912, and later succeeded his father's shop in Ansbacher Strasse, Charlottenburg, Berlin.
• Signature: Instruments were signed "Otto Möckel fec. anno 19..".

Summary

Otto Mockel (1869-1937) was a German violin maker, son and pupil of Oswald Möckel, who also trained with Carl Grimm. He worked in London before establishing his own shop in Dresden and later succeeding his father's business in Berlin. Mockel was known for his early work on classical models, particularly Guarneri forms, and for developing a new theory for plate treatment. He was a recognized expert, prolific writer, founder of the magazine Die Geige, and author of the influential book Die Kunst des Geigenbaues.