David Tecchler

David Tecchler is considered the leading maker of the Roman school, although he was Austrian by birth and did not move to Rome until the 1690s. He was active there for more than thirty years, and although much of his work shows the influence of Stainer (see the circa 1720 and circa 1725 violins), he also used a flatter model that is more Cremonese in inspiration, as seen in the circa 1730 violin. Strangely, the 1724 violin bears the original brand of Carlo Tononi, suggesting that it was sold through the Tononi shop in Venice.

Tecchler’s cellos are particularly well regarded, and the 1707 instrument is typical of the best type. The ‘ex-Roser’ cello, although labelled 1723, may well date from before 1700. The roundness of the form and the Füssen-esque f-holes reveal it to be a less mature work, more experimental in character, and as such it is likely to pre-date the 1707 cello. Most of Tecchler’s cellos were built on the large model prevalent at the time, and have since been reduced in size.