Jan Bubeník , Praha 18..

The year of birth of Jan Baprista Bubeník is not clear. After E. E. Homolka 1804 and after K. Jalovec 1800. He died in 1836 in Prague. Bubeník was a pupil of the renown Prague’s master Kaspar Strnad and worked with him as an apprentice until the master’s death in 1823. Then he became independent and overtook Strnad’s workshop in today’s Jungmann square. Unfortunatly he worked independently only about 12 years before died and so did not build many instruments. They show up only rarely. Bubeník’s only pupil was a minor Prague’s maker Jan Evangelista Procházka. The instruments of Bubeník are similar to those of his master Kaspar Strnad and they bear the characteristics of the Old Prague School.

This violin is a clear Bubeník’s work. The year of manufacture is not readable on the lable but it must be between 1823 when he became independednt and 1836 when he died. Very typical are the low ribs. The varnish is later, unfortunately. The last reminders of the original one are left on the back of the scroll. Nevertheless the violin is in top condition without any cracks. The original notches in the f-holes were patched and moved cca. 3 mm lower to obtain today’s usual mensure. It is a great concert instrument with a beautiful sound of the quality of old instruments. Moreover it is a very precious piece of the Czech violin making history.