KEKLIN, JOAN, Brescia, about 1450. This artiste is believed by some inquirers to be the earliest maker of the violin proper, but Fetis says that the only instrument of his that is known, and which was in the possession of Koliker of Paris, and dated 1449, was not really a violin, but a viol with changed neck and mounted with four strings. It would appear, therefore, that the merit of the actual introduction of the real violin belongs properly to Gaspar di Salo.
KIAPOSSE, SAWES, Petersburg, 1748.
KLOTZ, MATTHIAS, Tyrolese, about 1675, considered by Fetis to have been a pupil of Steiner, and the first violin maker of this well known name. He made some instruments, which established his reputation as a careful artiste.
KLOTZ, EGITIA. This maker, who appears to have been a son of Matthias, is often considered to be the best maker of this Family. He is commonly called the pupil of Steiner, but that must be doubtful. More probably he followed the Steiner traditions as exemplified by his father. He used amber varnish, good wood, and his instruments are well made and have his own name upon them.
KLOTZ, GEORGE, brother of Egitia.
KLOTZ, SEBASTIAN, another brother. We believe this artiste to be the best maker of the Klotz family. He built large sized violins, which possess a fine tone and have excellent varnish.
KLOTZ, MICHAEL,—1771.
KLOTZ, JOSEPH, son of Egitia, Mittenwald an der Iser, 1774. Otto says this artiste built after his father's system—but was better acquainted with the qualities of wood, and his instruments are therefore superior in tone, but are badly varnished in their original state.
THE KLOTZ FAMILY.
Spohr enumerates Klotz among the makers whose instruments are worthy of attention, but does not indicate which of them in particular. We have before expressed our opinion that Sebastian ranks highest in merit, which is corroborated by the most experienced connoisseur of the present day. Some violins of this name have achieved a high reputation. Parkes, in his "Musical Memoirs," mentions a Klotz Violin belonging to Mr. Hay, the Leader of the King's Band, for which a Noble Lord offered £300 and an annuity of £100. This seems a most extraordinary offer, for any instrument, unless it were a very fine Stradiuarius or Guarnerius.