Benjamin Patocka

History

Benjamin Patocka (1864-1931) was born in 1864 in Paseky, Czech Republic, and died in 1931 in Jicine. He was a violin and bow maker. According to John Dilworth, he was a pupil of Josef Metelka in Paseky in 1879. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff adds that he then worked as an assistant for Vitc?ek and later for Bina in Prague, traveling through Bohemia and Germany. He took over his teacher Metelka's business on October 18, 1888, and subsequently moved to Jicin, Bohemia, on March 13, 1894, where he established his workshop.

Craft

• Instrument Production: He primarily made new instruments, including violins, cellos, and double basses.
• Models: He created very fine and accurate copies of Stradivari, Guarneri, and Stainer models.
• Materials & Varnish: Patocka used excellent materials and his own soft spirit varnish in appropriate colors.
• Bow Production: He also had a good production of bows.

Influence

• Teachers: Benjamin Patocka was a pupil of Josef Metelka in Paseky starting in 1879.
• Workshops: He worked as an assistant for Vitc?ek and later for Bina in Prague.

Legacy

• Awards: Patocka was awarded numerous prizes in competitions, including a gold medal, a silver medal, two bronze medals, and various diplomas.
• Acclaim: Many of his bows were acquired by soloists.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: He worked in Glasersdorf, Prague, and Schumburg, returning to his birthplace in Paseky in 1888, and establishing himself in Jicin, Bohemia, in 1894.
• Labels: Some of his labels were in Cyrillic Russian. Examples of his labels include "Benjamin Patocka / houslar / v Pasekách pod Krkonošemi," "Benjamin Pasek / houslar / v Pasekách n. Jizerou, / pošta Dolni Roketnice 189..," "Benjamin Patocka / houslar/ V Jicine / Cechy," "Benjamin Patocka / Geigenmacher, Jicin / Bohemen," "Benjamin Patocka / houslar v Jicine / Kral. Ceske," "Benjamin Patocka / houslar / v Jicine 189," and "Benjamin Patocka / houslar / c. … v Jicine 19.."

Summary

Benjamin Patocka (1864-1931) was a Czech violin and bow maker known for his accurate copies of Stradivari, Guarneri, and Stainer models. He trained with Josef Metelka and worked in various locations before establishing his workshop in Jicin in 1894. Patocka used excellent materials and his own soft spirit varnish, earning numerous awards for his work, including gold, silver, and bronze medals.