Frantisek Spidlen

History

Frantisek SPIDLEN (1867-1916) was born in 1867 and died in 1916 in Prague, Czech Republic. He worked for Metelka and Vitacaek in Prague before establishing himself independently in Kiev, Ukraine, from 1894, where he was briefly assisted by his nephew J. Vitachek. From 1897, he succeeded E. A. Salzard in Moscow as luthier to the imperial court, opera house, and conservatoire. During his time in Moscow, he refined his techniques as a maker through his experience with classical instruments in his care, developing his originally basic and slightly unorthodox Bohemian models into fully refined and sophisticated work. He returned to Bohemia in 1907 and, following the death of K. B. Dvorak in 1909, established himself on Krizovnicka Street, Prague. He completed about 400 violins.

Craft

• Models: Frantisek SPIDLEN generally worked to Stradivari and Guarneri models.
• Materials & Varnish: He used fine materials and a deeply coloured varnish, which was said to have been a commercial formula. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes he used Öllack (oil varnish).
• Workmanship: His originally basic and slightly unorthodox Bohemian models evolved into fully refined and sophisticated work.
• Marking: He applied his name to the back of his works by brand stamp.

Influence

• Training: He was a talented pupil of Metelka and Vitacaek, for whom he also worked in Prague.
• Mentorship: His nephew, J. Vitachek, briefly assisted him in Kiev.

Legacy

• Awards: Frantisek SPIDLEN won medals in Frankfurt, Prague 1895, Kiev 1897, Paris 1900, St Petersburg 1906, and Lille 1909.
• Appointments: He served as luthier to the imperial court, opera house, and conservatoire in Moscow.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: He established independently in Kiev, Ukraine, from 1894, and later in Moscow from 1897. After returning to Bohemia in 1907, he established his workshop on Krizovnicka Street, Prague, from 1909.
• Labels: An example of his label reads: Franciskus F. Špidlen / fecit Prague Anno 1912.

Summary

Frantisek SPIDLEN (1867-1916) was a distinguished Czech luthier who worked in Prague, Kiev, and Moscow. He trained with Metelka and Vitacaek and became luthier to the imperial court, opera house, and conservatoire in Moscow. Known for refining his techniques from basic Bohemian models to sophisticated work, he produced approximately 400 violins, primarily based on Stradivari and Guarneri models, using fine materials and deeply coloured varnish. He received numerous international medals, including those from Prague (1895), Kiev (1897), Paris (1900), St Petersburg (1906), and Lille (1909).