Daniel Acheteus Stadlmann

History

Daniel Acheteus STADLMANN (1680-1744) took the citizen's oath on August 5, 1707, and resided in the so-called Stuben-Viertel in Vienna.

He is considered among the best Viennese violin makers and was regarded as the best imitator of Stainer.

His diligence and prolific output meant that instruments by him are found in many collections and orchestras.

It is hypothesized that he traveled to Italy during his journeyman years, learning techniques there, which is supported by his use of double purfling, a characteristic favored by Brescian makers.

The Royal Collection in Berlin preserves a Viola di Bordone by him with peculiar soundholes and a beautifully carved rose (No. 843).

The Braunau Collegiate Church possesses a violin by him from 1724, and a violin with the same label from the same year is also held by the Benedictine Abbey of St. Margareth near Prague.

A Viola Baryton by him is part of Paul de Wit's music-historical museum in Leipzig.

Craft

• Model: He was known for very fine and accurate work based on the Jacob Stainer model, though Henri Poidras notes that the belly was much more arched than the back.
• Wood: His wood is described as very beautiful, with one- and two-piece backs nearly always featuring a pretty figure, often in bird's-eye maple.
• Arching: The arching was of medium height, not unnecessarily exaggerated, though Willibald Leo Lütgendorff noted he worked the top a little too thin.
• Varnish: His varnish is described as very beautiful, often of a high yellow color, possibly amber varnish, or a turbid golden-yellow. George Hart notes it as thin, sometimes yellow. John Dilworth also mentions a darker red-brown varnish of good texture and consistency.
• Purfling: He frequently used double purfling, a style associated with Brescian makers.
• Scroll: His scrolls were neatly cut, concentric, and well-balanced.
• Working Method: He constructed his violins over a form.
• Branding and Labels: Some instruments are branded 'D.A.S.' and bear the label: 'Daniel Achatius Stadlmann, / Lauten- und Geigenmacher / in Wienn. An.1739'.

Influence

• Stylistic Influence: He was considered the best imitator of Jacob Stainer, with his work closely following the Stainer model.
• Geographic Influence: His use of double purfling, a characteristic favored by Brescian makers, suggests he may have traveled to Italy during his journeyman years and learned techniques there.

Legacy

• Reputation: Daniel Acheteus Stadlmann is recognized as one of the best Viennese violin makers.
• Misappropriation: His name and label were regularly abused by commercial dealers for inferior, factory-produced work.
• Preservation: Instruments by him are preserved in significant collections, including the Royal Collection in Berlin, the Braunau Collegiate Church, the Benedictine Abbey of St. Margareth near Prague, and Paul de Wit's music-historical museum in Leipzig.

Further Information

• Workshop Location: He resided in the Stuben-Viertel in Vienna.
• Label Inscription: His labels include 'Daniel Achatius Stadlmann, / Lauten- und Geigenmacher / in Wienn. An.1739'.
• Branding: Some instruments are branded 'D.A.S.'.

Summary

Daniel Acheteus STADLMANN (1680-1744) was a highly regarded Viennese violin maker, known for his exceptional imitation of the Jacob Stainer model.

He was a prolific master whose instruments, characterized by beautiful wood, often bird's-eye maple, and a distinctive high yellow or golden-yellow varnish, are found in numerous collections.

His craftsmanship included neatly cut scrolls, the use of double purfling, and construction over a form, with the belly typically more arched than the back.

Despite the quality of his work, his name and labels were sometimes misused for commercial, factory-produced instruments.