Leonhard Maussiell

Leonhard Maussiell (9 January 1685, Nuremberg, Germany — 5 June 1760, Nuremberg), sometimes "Leonard" or "Leonhardus," was a distinguished German luthier and maker of violins, violas, violas d'amore, and zithers. His earliest surviving instrument is a 1708 pochette ("Tanzmeistergeige" in German, a dancing master's fiddle) in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum collection, and the latest known is a 1757 violin owned by Břevnov Monastery in Prague, Czech Republic. Maussiell typically used large printed labels with Latinized or Germanic typeface: "Leonhard Maussiell, Lautten- und Geigenmacher in Nürnberg. 17" or "Leonhardus Maussiell me fecit. Nurmberg. An. 17" (notable for his irregular spelling with an "m" in Nurmberg). Unlike most other well-known Nürnberg luthiers who all came from different regions, like Matthias Hummel (fl. 1678–1716) from Augsburg, Sebastian Schelle (1676—1744) from Biberach an der Riß, and Leopold Widhalm (1722—1776) from Lower Austria, Maussiell was the city's native citizen. His early years and apprenticeship are unknown, with speculations that he could've learned luthiery in Tyrol, Bohemia, or even Italy. Leonhard Maussiell primarily worked off "classic" Stainer and Tecchler models but went far beyond merely copying and subsequently established a highly individual, distinct style praised for exquisite craftsmanship. Maussiell often replaced scrolls with intricately carved lion's or women's heads and other decorations. In the typical fashion for regional luthiers of the era, Leonhard sometimes reused and modernized existing older instruments from a broad range of past makers, such as Matteo Sellas, Christopher Koch, Laux Maler, Ulrich Tieffenbrucker, Wendelio Venere, and Pietro Railich. A few examples of his repurposed builds are present in the Germanisches Museum's collection (which held twelve Maussiell's instruments): an early 1711 violoncello, originally viola da Gamba in Tenor range, and 1716 viola made from viola d'amore. Between 1745 and 1756, Maussiell's name was marred in controversy as he vehemently fought against luthier Leopold Widhalm, a foreign "Catholic journeyman," taking over the late Sebastian Schelle's renowned workshop in Gostenhof near Nuremberg. After Schelle passed away in July 1744, his eldest daughter, Barbara Sybilla Schelle (1719—1781), operated the business; Widhalm, a recent hire at the shop, soon fell in love, and they became involved. As a Roman Catholic in protestant Germany, Leopold Widhalm faced criminal prosecution for having children "out of wedlock" with Barbara, including fines, temporary expulsion from Nürnberg, and possibly even a four-month prison sentence. In the meantime, Leonhard Maussiell stepped in, snatching one of late Schelle's most lucrative contracts (as an official supplier of Frauenkirche parish) on the pretense of being a worthier candidate. He further attempted to block Widhalm's growing operation, sending litigations and complaints to Rugsamt, the city's highest judicial and commercial trade authority.