Béla Farkas
Violin maker
(1903 – 1970)
Musical ambitions dashed by World War I. Apprenticed to József Metzker. In 1919 moved to D. Barany in Budapest. Then worked for J. Stubiger in Vienna, E. Pliverics in Berlin, subsequently in the Hague, Turin, Milan, Lyon, and for G. Tanczer and J. Lenhardt in Pecs. Established his own business in Györ-Ujvaros at 94 Kossuth Lajos Street 1925 where he remained until 1941. In that year he received a government loan to start another business in Kisfaludy street, which was destroyed shortly afterwards by wartime actions. Following the 1956 Hungarian uprising he exhibited a quartet at Liege in 1958, winning third prize. Worked alone throughout his career. Awarded 'Silver Wreath' at the 1937 State Handwork Exhibition, winning the 'Gold Wreath' subsequently. Other awards gained in Paris 1937, Berlin 1938, and New York 1939. Credited with over 200 instruments; Stradivari and Guarneri models with ebony purfling and orange-red varnish. Some personal models, and some comparatively coarse examples. Fecit / Farkas / Bela / Györ. 1941 Fecit Deo adiuvante ad gloriam / patriae Hungariae / Farkas Béla / Györ, 1946.
Price History
- The auction record for this maker is $7,442 in Oct 2011, for a violin.
- 4 auction price results.
View all auction prices for Béla Farkas
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