Johann (I) Ohberg

History

Johann (I) Ohberg (1723-1779) was born in 1723 and died in 1779 in Stockholm, Sweden. He was active as a maker from 1758 and became the leading maker in Stockholm during his period, as noted by John Dilworth in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers. Ohberg produced a prolific output of instruments, though their quality was variable. Some of his cheaper work lacked purfling, and his instruments were frequently numbered individually. Dilworth suggests totals of 278 violins, 16 violas, about 40 cellos, and one double bass, in addition to many plucked instruments.

Craft

• Model: Johann (I) Ohberg utilized a good Stainer-derived model, which was slightly undersized and often highly arched, as described by John Dilworth and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.
• Workmanship: While his output was prolific, the quality of his instruments varied; some cheaper pieces were made without purfling, and Lütgendorff notes that some violins were 'liederlich gemacht' (carelessly made). George Hart describes his workmanship as being of average merit.
• Scroll and Pegbox: His instruments featured a well-carved and concentric scroll with a broad pegbox.
• Varnish: Ohberg's best work was finished with a fine golden-yellow varnish. Lesser grades of his instruments had a hard yellow or dull dark brown varnish, according to John Dilworth. Cecie Stainer also notes that he generally used a yellow varnish.
• Distinctive Features: Violas and cellos are generally considered his most successful instruments. His cellos, in particular, have a very distinctive symmetrical soundhole with the same broad, even sweep in the upper and lower halves, very small finial circles, and a pegbox embellished with a cockleshell carving in the chin. Lütgendorff, however, observes that the F-holes on his cellos are almost consistently unattractive. Some instruments have a Florentine appearance and may have been relabelled as such.

Influence

• Teacher: Johann (I) Ohberg was a pupil of S. Beckman.
• Pupils: He taught E. Sandberg, J. Jerner, and D. Wickström.

Further Information

• Branding: Ohberg usually branded his instruments on the upper back with marks such as 'I.Ö.B.', 'Johann Öhberg Stockholm. 1768', 'I.O.B. Iohann Öhberg / Stockholm 1772', or 'Nr 79 [Nilsson]'.
• Other Instruments: A Swedish zither made by Ohberg is located at Claudius in Malmö.

Summary

Johann (I) Ohberg (1723-1779) was a prominent Swedish violin maker active in Stockholm from 1758, recognized as the leading maker of his era. A pupil of S. Beckman, he also mentored E. Sandberg, J. Jerner, and D. Wickström. Ohberg produced a substantial number of instruments, including violins, violas, cellos, and plucked instruments, often individually numbered. His work, though variable in quality, frequently employed a Stainer-derived model and was finished with varnishes ranging from golden-yellow to dark brown. His cellos are particularly noted for their distinctive symmetrical soundholes and cockleshell-carved pegboxes.