Photo gallery: the unusual violins of Antoni Hybel (1872 – 1946)

Antoni Hybel (1872 – 1946) was a Polish violin maker, sculptor and painter.

Hybel attended the School of Wood Industry in Zakopane in 1903 as well as studying painting in Krakow and Vienna.

From 1911, Hybel’s works were exhibited in Ropa, Warsaw and Berlin. One of his most popular works was a violin with a winged soundpost which attracted media attention in 1924, calling it ’a Polish invention in the field of violin music’ and ’a triumph of mastery’. The winged soundpost consisted of interconnected elements combined to make one soundpost, claiming to provide new sonic possibilities. The winged soundpost, which does not fall over, is inserted into the instrument before closing and can be adjusted.

Do YOU have any information about this maker? If so, please email thestrad@thestrad.com with any photos, biographical info, or anything about the whereabouts of other Antoni Hybel instruments.