Johann Christian Hamm (son of Johann Gottfried Hamm), master violin circa 1780

SALE: Revarnished at a highly reduced price > 50%

Violin from the family workshop of Johann Gottfried Hamm made by his son Johann Christian Hamm. With its powerful, warm and melodious voice, this 18th century master violin from the Vogtland region satisfies demanding standards and is a magnificent partner for professional musicians. The Markneukirchen master luthier Johann Gottfried Hamm, is one of the luminaries in the history of violin making in Saxony who upheld traditional artisanal approaches and an unmistakable artistic signature amidst the rapidly growing instrument-making industry. His strategy was successful, too: even in his day, Johann Gottfried Hamm was seen as the most important craftsmen of his Klingenthal family, and his contemporaries regarded him as one of the finest masters in the guild. The fine violin presented here is the perfect manifestation of the self-confidence it is thoroughly justified in demonstrating, and this is clearly articulated in an interesting, very personal Hamm model and in the expressive, delicately carved scroll. The striking high table leaves no doubt as to the region from which the instrument hails. Its craftsmanship reflects the talent and experience of the Hamm family workshop led by Johann Gottfried Hamm, who at the time was in his mid-thirties and had already been a master for nearly half his life. A closer look at the exquisite margins and delicate purfling indicate the violin’s quality; it is also evident in the discerning choice of gently flamed maple for the back. Like so many outstanding instruments which have survived for so long, this violin has undergone some repairs which were all executed with the great care it deserves. The varnish is a later reconstruction which allows us to offer this violin at a highl yrewduced price. We took a particularly careful look at an older table repair along the center joint that attracts the eye and verified that it was reliably repaired in such a way that it has no effect whatsoever on the sound. This Johann Christian Hamm violin can be offered at a very competetive price and is now ready to play and is warmly recommended thanks to its warm, bright, flute-like sound complemented by a slightly sweet note.