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Viola by Anton Posch, Vienna, circa 1740
This viola has now sold.
About Anton Posch
Anton Posch was born in 1677 in Vils, a Tyrolean town on the border with Bavaria which has a long history of luthiers. He moved to Vienna around 1700 and studied his craft with Matthias Fuchs, eventually taking over his teacher's workshop. Posch was appointed violin maker to the Viennese court, a lucrative position which involved supplying instruments to Prince Esterhazy, the employer of Joseph Haydn.
It is interesting to note that his working style changes over his output from a style which relied on the techniques learnt in Füssen to a Stainer-inspired model which he developed during his time in Vienna. This model was to become the predominant inspiration for the Viennese school of the early eighteenth century, alongside the work of his contemporary Daniel Stadlmann.
About the viola
The viola was made in Vienna around 1740 and is his own confident interpretation of the Stainer model.
The viola has a one piece back of slab-cut maple. The ribs are of quarter-sawn maple and the scroll is of plainer maple. The front is one piece of very wide grained spruce and the varnish is golden brown in colour.
The viola has a length of back of 428 mm.
How does it sound?
This is a superb instrument with a complex voice. It has a lot of character and speaks easily, making a great choice for the big orchestral solos.
Condition
The viola is in good restored condition and comes with a full condition report.
Certification
The viola comes with the 2024 certificate of Jan Strick.