Table of Contents

Janos Spiegel

Auction price history

Highest auction price

£6,008

Type	Details	Sold	Price
Violin	35.6 cm Budapest, 1953	December 2010	£1,243
Violin	35.5 cm Budapest, 1916	October 2010	£6,008
Violin	35.6 cm Budapest, 1924	May 2008	£4,490
Violin	35.7 cm Budapest, 1924	May 2007	£2,736
Violin	Budapest, 1923	November 2005	£2,605
Violin	Budapest, 1916	November 2005	£3,360
Violin	Budapest, 1924	May 2004	£2,895
Violin	1936	October 2003	£3,732
Violin	1907	May 2001	£4,624
Viola	41.9 cm	November 1992	£3,300
Cello		July 1991	£3,850

Maker Overview

History

Janos SPIEGEL (1876-1956) was born in Sopron, Hungary, in 1876 and passed away in Budapest in 1956. According to John Dilworth's The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers, he was apprenticed to P. Pilát. SPIEGEL worked for W. J. Schunda from 1896 to 1898 and subsequently for R. Laumann from 1898 to 1900. He established himself independently in Budapest in 1903. SPIEGEL was a prolific maker, producing approximately 600 instruments, including 80 cellos, often with the assistance of various craftsmen in his shop. The majority of these instruments were exported to the USA. He was succeeded by his employee, J. Csapkovits.

Craft

Models: Janos SPIEGEL utilized Stradivari- and Guarneri-derived models for his instruments.
Workmanship: His work was characterized by its neatness and precision.
Varnish: Up to approximately 1920, he employed a red-brown varnish; thereafter, he predominantly used orange shades.
Interior Work: The interior construction of his instruments followed the Hungarian manner, featuring pointed linings that were let into all the blocks.
Branding: Instruments were internally branded 'Spiegel Janós / Budapest'.
Labels: Manuscript labels found in his instruments read 'Spiegel Jánoos (sic) / Budapest, 19..'.

Influence

Apprenticeship: Janos SPIEGEL received his apprenticeship under P. Pilát.
Professional Experience: He gained experience working for W. J. Schunda from 1896 to 1898 and for R. Laumann from 1898 to 1900.

Legacy

Succession: Janos SPIEGEL was succeeded in his workshop by his employee, J. Csapkovits.

Further Information

Workshop Location: Janos SPIEGEL established his independent workshop in Budapest in 1903.
Export Market: A significant portion of his instrument production, specifically the majority, was exported to the USA.

Summary

Janos SPIEGEL (1876-1956) was a Hungarian luthier born in Sopron and active in Budapest from 1903. Apprenticed to P. Pilát, he also worked for W. J. Schunda and R. Laumann before establishing his own prolific workshop. He produced approximately 600 instruments, including 80 cellos, often with the assistance of craftsmen, with many exported to the USA. SPIEGEL's work was neat and precise, utilizing Stradivari- and Guarneri-derived models, and featuring distinctive Hungarian interior work and varying varnish colors over time. He was succeeded by his employee J. Csapkovits.

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Biographies

John Dilworth

SPIEGEL, János Born 1876 Sopron, died 1956 Budapest Hungary. Apprenticed to P. Pilát. Worked for W. J. Schunda 1896-1898 and for R. Laumann 1898-1900. Established independently in Budapest 1903. Prolific maker. Produced about 600 instruments including 80 cellos, assisted by various craftsmen in his shop, the majority exported to the USA. Succeeded by his employee J. Csapkovits. Stradivari- and Guarneri-derived models. Neat and precise work. Red-brown varnish used up to c.1920; thereafter mainly orange shades. Interior work in the Hungarian manner with pointed linings let into all the blocks. Branded internally: ‘Spiegel Janós / Budapest’ . Manuscript labels: Spiegel Jánoos (sic) / Budapest, 19..