The Eerie Shelves of the Novak Luthier Workshop

The workshop is suspended in quiet stillness. On the central bench, a half-assembled violin rests with a tuning peg loose, its tone record unfinished. Tools and clamps lie untouched; wood shavings and stray strings hint at a craft abruptly halted.

Shaping Wood and Sound

These implements belonged to Jan Novak, professional luthier (b. 1871, Prague), trained in artisan workshops supplying instruments to local orchestras and musicians. His meticulous Czech notes record varnish mixtures, bridge placements, and tone adjustments. A folded note references his apprentice, Petra Novak, “collect instruments Tuesday,” showing careful daily routines, exacting attention, and a temperament attuned to patience, subtlety, and precision in both wood and sound.

Instruments and Tools

On the main bench, chisels, scrapers, and clamps lie aligned. Partially assembled violins lean against each other, some with bridges unglued. A ledger beneath folded sheets lists clients, instrument types, and intended tone specifications. One violin shows tuning halted mid-fret, suggesting sudden interruption. Wood shavings and varnish drips mark where attention ceased entirely, leaving the room frozen mid-craft.

Decline of Steady Hands

Later ledger entries show inconsistent tone adjustments and improperly fitted bridges. Some instruments are incomplete or cracked. A letter from a musician remains unopened, indicating interrupted commissions. Gradually, failing eyesight, fatigue, and tremors in Novak’s hands undermined his precision, leaving violins unfinished, strings unaligned, and tone measurements abandoned mid-record.

In the Luthier Workshop’s final drawer, Novak’s last tone notes end abruptly, unfinished diagrams and adjustments suspended. A penciled note—“complete for Petra”—stops mid-word. No explanation survives for his departure, nor why Petra never collected the instruments.

The house remains abandoned, benches, tools, and violins frozen in quiet incompletion, every instrument and tone awaiting hands that will never return.