(Bichler, Puchler) Marcell Pichler

History

(Bichler, Puchler) Marcell Pichler worked circa 1673 in Hallein, Austria. According to John Dilworth, he was said to have been associated with Stainer, and even to have been an ancestor of Tecchler in Rome, though this is considered unlikely and unproven. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff describes him as a skilled lute and violin maker of the 17th century, and perhaps the founder of the violin industry in Hallein, which flourished for almost a hundred years. Lütgendorff notes that Pichler wrote his name variously as Pichler, Bichler, and Puechler, and his given name as Marcell and Mercell. This led Lütgendorff to suggest he might be the son of the Salzburg master Marcell Puchler.

Craft

• Workmanship: A viola d'amore in the Museum of Salzburg, described by John Dilworth, is well-made and features a head in the form of a crowned angel. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff also notes that the Museum Carolino-Augusteum in Salzburg possesses a 'hübsche Arbeit' (pretty work) by him.
• Labels: John Dilworth cites a label found on the viola d'amore as 'Marcell Bichler / Mach Hallein 1673'. Printed labels cited by Lütgendorff, Vannes et al. read 'Marcellus Pichler Geigenmacher allhier'. A manuscript label cited by Vannes, found in a 'large viol of Brescian school', reads 'Marcellus Puchler in / Salzburg Fecit Ao 1601'.

Influence

• Mentorship: Sources contain conflicting information regarding his association with Stainer. John Dilworth notes that Pichler was said to have been associated with Stainer, but this is unproven. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff mentions an old tradition that a very skilled violin maker named Pichler worked in Stainer's workshop and often represented the ailing master. Lütgendorff believes it is more probable that the master from Hallein or Salzburg was this alleged assistant to Stainer, rather than Tecchler, as Fleming believed.
• Family Connections: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff suggests that due to the variations in his name, Marcell Pichler might be considered a son of the Salzburg master Marcell Puchler.

Legacy

• Museum Holdings: The Museum of Salzburg (specifically the Museum Carolino-Augusteum, according to Lütgendorff) possesses a viola d'amore by Pichler, described by John Dilworth as a well-made instrument with a crowned angel head.
• Foundational Role: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff posits that Marcell Pichler might have been the founder of the violin industry in Hallein, which flourished for nearly a century.

Further Information

• Working Locations: He worked in Hallein, Austria, circa 1673. A label also indicates a connection to Salzburg.
• Name Variations: His name is recorded as Pichler, Bichler, and Puechler, with his given name also appearing as Marcell and Mercell.
• Cited Labels:
  • 'Marcell Bichler / Mach Hallein 1673' (from a viola d'amore, cited by John Dilworth).
  • 'Marcellus Pichler Geigenmacher allhier' (printed labels, cited by Lütgendorff, Vannes et al.).
  • 'Marcellus Puchler in / Salzburg Fecit Ao 1601' (manuscript label from a 'large viol of Brescian school', cited by Vannes).