Leipzig, Germany
Franz Johann Glass

Wood, ebony, shell
1897 C.E.
Length: 23 inches
Strings – Lutes – Violin Family

Engraved maker’s label: 
Johann Glass / Geigenmacher / Leipzig / anno 1897

Franz Johann Glass (1847-1935) of Leipzig, was the son of violin maker Johann Traugott (Glass) (1819-1895).  Franz Johann was revered among violinists as a true craftsman.  He established himself in Leipzig, where he primarily worked for the Gewandhousorchester as an instrument maker and restorer.  The Gewandhousorchester is the oldest civic symphony orchestra in the world, traced to 1743, while older orchestras were part of royal suites.  Franz Johann maintained his position with the famous institution until he was 80 years of age in 1927.  He copied the instruments of the Cremona school while adding his own Germanic characteristics. 

According to the Smithsonian description, “Franz Johann Glass used well-aged wood and produced instruments with a fine, powerful tone worthy of first-class orchestras. He specialized in violins, influenced by those of Maggini.”  

Biovanni Paolo Maggini (1580-c. 1630), from Italy, was an important craftsman/instrument maker of the Brescian school.  Many of the Maggini violins and violas were ornamented on the back, with such decorations as crests, medallions, the St. Andrew’s cross and other motifs.  This design idea on the back is reflected in this beautiful Franz Johann Glass violin with ornate shell inlay, a crest, and an engraved inlaid maker’s label.  The maple two-piece back has matching sides and matches with the violin ribs. The spruce top plate is fine grained and shows a light varnish coat.  At the top is a beautiful, engraved scroll and pegbox.

Resource: https://music.si.edu/spotlight/violins/glass