Edmond Saunier
Bordeaux, Mirecourt, Paris, b. c.1730
Edmond Saunier, born circa 1730 in Mirecourt, was a notable luthier who worked in Nancy, Bordeaux (1754-1765), and Paris (from 1770 to at least 1783). He was known for his good quality instruments, characterized by a flat model and yellow varnish, and was particularly celebrated for his guitars and mandolines, though he also made good violins. He was a pupil of Lambert in Nancy and taught Piete and Nicolas Fourier.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
10 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | One-piece back, varnish of a brown colour on a golden ground, cracks, varnish wear Lot 14 | Millon & A. | January 2024 | £751est. € 800-1.200 |
| Small Violin | 3/4 size violin, bearing the maker's brand under the button Lot 2071 | Vichy | November 2023 | £542est. € 400 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's brand Lot 653 | Vichy | June 2019 | £1,320est. € 800 |
| Violin | Branded to the inside back Saunier Lot 117 | Tarisio | August 2015 | £2,068est. $ 2,000-3,000 |
| Violin | Violin, 1830-40 c. Lot 161 | Vichy | June 2012 | £1,262est. € 1.200-1.500 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Mirecourt, 19th C. | — | January 2011 | £498 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm 1820 c. | — | January 2007 | £766 |
| Violin | Bordeaux, 1787 | — | January 2005 | £807 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1830 c. | — | January 2004 | £629 |
| Violin | — | January 1997 | £442 |
No results match those filters.
Maker Overview
Life
Edmond SAUNIER (circa 1730-after 1783) was born around 1730 in Mirecourt, France, and was active until at least 1783 in Paris.
He worked for D. F. Lambert in Nancy before establishing himself in Bordeaux, where he was active from 1754 to 1765.
By 1770, he had moved to Paris, initially residing in the Rue Tiquetonne. From 1773 or 1775 until 1783, he lived in the Rue des Prouvaires.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- Edmond Saunier produced good work, described as 'superior work' by Cecie Stainer and 'well-finished' by John Dilworth.
- Varnish
- His instruments typically featured a yellow varnish.
- Model
- He employed a flat model or flat arch, characteristic of the old Mirecourt kind or Mirecourt school.
- Instruments
- While he made good violins, he was particularly renowned for his guitars and mandolines, producing a great many plucked instruments of diverse types.
- Branding
- His instruments were branded internally with 'Saunier' or 'Saunier A Paris'.
- Branded internally: ‘Saunier’ or ‘Saunier A Paris’ Saunier
à Bordeaux
1754John Dilworth - Saunter, Luthier, demeure présentement rue des Prouvaires, entre la rue des
Deux-Ecus et celle Saint-
Honoré
Paris 1775John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Teacher:, he was a pupil of a Lambert in Nancy, though Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes this Lambert is 'nicht nachweisbaren' (unproven).
- Pupils: His pupils included Piete and Nicolas Fourier.
- Exhibitions: A mandoline-alto made by Saunier and dated 1780 was exhibited in Paris in 1889.
Further Information
- Addresses: In Paris, he was located at 270 rue Saint-Martin circa 1766, then in the rue Tiquetonne from 1770, and from 1773 or 1775 to 1783 in the rue des Prouvaires, specifically between the rue des Deux-Ecus and the rue Saint-Honoré.
- Labels: Examples of his labels include 'Saunier a Bordeaux, 1754' and 'Saunier / à Bordeaux / 1754'. A Paris label from 1775 reads: 'Saunter, Luthier, demeure présentement rue des Prouvaires, entre la rue des / Deux-Ecus et celle Saint- / Honoré / Paris 1775'.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
SAUNIER, Edmond Born circa. 1730 Mirecourt, d. after 1783 Paris France. Worked for D. F. Lambert in Nancy. Active in Bordeaux 1754-1765. Established in Paris at 270 rue Saint-Martin c.1766, from 1770 in the rue Tiquetonne, and from 1773 in the rue des Prouvaires. Mirecourt school. Flat arch with yellow varnish. Well-finished. Made a great many plucked instruments of diverse types. Branded internally: ‘Saunier’ or ‘Saunier A Paris’ Saunier / à Bordeaux / 1754 Saunter, Luthier, demeure présentement rue des Prouvaires, entre la rue des / Deux-Ecus et celle Saint- / Honoré / Paris 1775
Cecie Stainer+
Was a pupil of Lambert, of Nancy, the ” Carpenter,” but did superior work. Lived in Bordeaux 1754-64, according to his violin labels, but by 1770 was in Paris, living first in the rue Tiquetonne, and then (1775-83) in the rue des Prouvaires. He is best known for the beautiful guitars he made, but his violins are also good. Piete, the maker, was a pupil of his. In 1889 was exhibited in Paris a mandoline-alto dated 1780. Label: ” Saunier a Bordeaux, 1754 “
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Nach Fetis ein Schüler eines nicht nachweisbaren Lambert in Nancy. Von 1754—1764 war er in Bordeaux, um 1770 aber in Paris, wo er erst in der Rue Tiquetonne und von 1775—1783 in der Rue des Prouvaires wohnte. Er hat recht gute Geigen gemacht, doch ist er berühmter als Mandolinen- und Guitarrenmacher gewesen. Piete und Fourier (Nicolas) waren seine Schüler.
Henri Poidras+
Bordeaux and Paris circa 1750. Good work. Yellow varnish. Flat model. Good class make of the old Mirecourt kind. Guitars and mandolines.
Sell your instrument with Amati
Get started by uploading photos of your instrument for our experts to review.
Sell your instrument with Amati
Get started by uploading photos of your instrument for our experts to review.
Pupils
Bonniseau Pupil