Franz Ramftler

History

Franz RAMFTLER (1834-1913) was born on May 23, 1834, in Munich, Germany, and died in 1913 in Munich.
He was a pupil of A. Engleder, also known as Andreas Engleder, and remained with him after completing his apprenticeship.
Sources contain conflicting information about the establishment date of his independent business in Munich: John Dilworth states he established independently in Munich in 1864, while Cecie Stainer indicates he started his own business there in 1860.
He was appointed luthier to the Bavarian court, referred to as Hofinstrumentenmacher.
According to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, he initially focused on repairs and the trade of Italian instruments, traveling to Italy twice annually for this purpose.
He retired in 1889, after which he dedicated himself with greater zeal to making new violins, primarily after the Stradivari model.
For his violins, he received an Anerkennungsdiplom in Vienna in 1873.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff also mentions a Wilhelm R. who was active in Munich in 1882.

Craft

• Model: He primarily made new violins after the Stradivari model.
• Workmanship: His work is described as accurate and professional, utilizing good materials.
• Varnish: He used his own invented varnish, which he had tested for 40 years, and to which he attributed the immediate good sound and easy response of his violins.
• Characteristics: His violins were considered very good Orchesterviolinen with beautiful wood, varnish, and tone.

Influence

• Teacher: He was a pupil of A. Engleder, also known as Andreas Engleder, and remained with him after completing his apprenticeship.
• Workshop Experience: He worked for Padewet at Karlsruhe.

Legacy

• Royal Appointment: Franz Ramftler was appointed luthier to the Bavarian court, also referred to as Hofinstrumentenmacher or Court violin maker.
• Awards: He received an Anerkennungsdiplom in Vienna in 1873 for his violins.

Further Information

• Label: An example label reads "Franz Ramftler / Hofgeigenmacher / München 1880".
• Location: He established his business in Munich.
• Related Makers: A Wilhelm R. was also active in Munich in 1882.

Summary

Franz RAMFTLER (1834-1913) was a German luthier born and died in Munich, who trained under Andreas Engleder.
He established his independent business in Munich, with sources providing conflicting dates of 1860 or 1864 for its founding, and was appointed luthier to the Bavarian court.
Initially, he focused on repairs and dealing in old Italian instruments, traveling to Italy for this purpose.
After retiring in 1889, he dedicated himself to making new violins, primarily on the Stradivari model, utilizing his own invented varnish.
His work was characterized by its accuracy, good materials, and a varnish he believed contributed to the immediate good sound and easy response of his instruments, earning him an Anerkennungsdiplom in Vienna in 1873.