Emanuel Adam Homolka , Velvary 1832

Emanuel Adam Homolka was born 24. 12. 1796 in Velvary near Prague, died 11.11.1849 in Prague. A founder of a significant violin making dynasty. Also his brothers Václav, Jan Štěpán and Ferdinand Josef were violin makers. Emanuel Adam apprenticed at Caspar Strnad in Prague in 1808 and stayed with him as an assistant until 1921. Then he returned to Velvary as a well experienced master and made himself independent there. In 1825 he married Josefa Roučková in Velvary. They had three sons and six daughters. One of their daughters Františka married a violin maker Ferdinand Lantner from Prague. Emanuel Adam trained his younger brothers Václav and Ferdinand Josef. He also taught Josef Urban who later left for San Francisco. In 1837 E. A. Homolka acquired the citizenship of Velvary. He worked in the style of the Prague violin making school which he was a respectable representative of.

This violin is a typical work of this renowned master, built after his own model. The selling price is set significantly low due to woodworm damage. Its traces are visible almost on all parts of the body, mostly on the belly. The head has no woodworm damage, however the left side of the peg box is patched. The peg holes are bushed and the pegs are new. The varnish is mostly later, the original varnish is left only on the scroll and small reminders are on the ribs under the edges. There is a sound post patch in the back, though only strengthening tha plate, no crack is visible. There is no sound post crack either in the belly. All woodworm damages are repaired with patches or filled and secured inside with cleats. They are stable and the violin is useable without limitation. The sound is excellent.