Ernst Reinhold Schmidt
Markneukirchen, Mittenwald, 1857–1928
Ernst Reinhold SCHMIDT (1857-1928) was a German violin maker who established an extensive and productive business in Markneukirchen in 1880, after apprenticing with J. Kretzschman and working for notable makers like Bausch, Hammig, and Riechers.He produced commercial work in various grades, including 'artist' and 'solo' models, and developed a distinctive viola model.His work, which included fine classical models with appropriate varnish and materials, earned him gold medals at Vienna in 1892 and Leipzig in 1913.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
70 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stradivari copy, two-piece back, mild scratching and some small dents, no larger cracks Lot 1066 | — | June 2025 | £446est. £ 300-500 | |
| Violin | Some varnish blemishes on the back and ribs but no serious issues, otherwise reasonable condition Lot 3451 | Gardiner | January 2025 | £586est. £ 400-600 |
| Violin | Small hairline crack beneath the bass f-hole, some minor knocks and bruises, reasonable condition Lot 2013 | Gardiner | January 2024 | £366est. £ 120-180 |
| Labelled E.R. Schmidt & Co., Violin Makers Saxony ..., Antonius Stradivarius Copy, signed on the label Lot 2038 | — | June 2022 | £288est. £ 200-300 | |
| Labelled Made by E.R. Schmidt & Co., Violin Makers, Saxony Lot 2417 | — | September 2021 | £537 | |
| Violin | Antonio Stradivari copy, signed on the label Lot 2457 | Gardiner | January 2020 | £312est. £ 250-350 |
| Labelled Made by E.R. Schmidt & Co., Violin Makers Saxony, ..., signed Andreas Amati copy Lot 2079 | — | September 2019 | £528est. £ 200-300 | |
| Bearing the maker's label, some heat damage to bridge area, lower treble corner of back, good condition Lot 71 | — | October 2018 | £1,836est. $ 800-1,200 | |
| Labelled Copy of Antonius Stradivarius made by E.R. Schmidt & Co, Markneukirchen, Saxony, branded Lot 1477 | — | December 2017 | £432est. £ 400-600 | |
| Three quarter size violin, labelled Made by Schmidt & Co., Violin Makers, Saxony Lot 1075 | — | June 2017 | £156est. £ 150-200 | |
| Labelled Amati Made By E R Schmidt & Co Saxony, one-piece back, ebony fingerboard and tailpiece Lot 8 | — | February 2017 | £420est. £ 80-120 | |
| Branded internally E.*R.*S. Lot 62 | — | May 2016 | £2,738est. $ 800-1,200 | |
| Labelled Stradivarius, made by E. R. Schmidt & Co Violinmakers, Saxony, minor repairs to table and ribs Lot 375 | — | December 2015 | £108 | |
| Labelled COPY OF / Nicolaus Amati / fecit E. Reinhold Schmidt / Saxony Lot 203 | — | November 2015 | £286est. $ 300-400 | |
| After Andrea Amati, bearing the original label Copy of Andreas Amati, made by E.R. Schmidt & Co. ... Lot 277 | — | March 2015 | £720est. £ 600-800 | |
| After Andrea Amati, bearing the original label, minor repairs to table Lot 90 | — | December 2014 | £615est. £ 600-800 | |
| Labelled MADE ESPECIALLY FOR T.B. CO. CHICAGO Lot 156 | — | November 2014 | £77est. $ 200-400 | |
| Labelled Schmidt & Co and signed on the label Lot 650 | — | September 2014 | £288est. £ 250-350 | |
| Bearing the maker's label Lot 231 | — | November 2013 | £278est. $ 400-600 | |
| Labelled Tononi ..., branded to the inside back Lot 259 | — | November 2012 | £2,621est. $ 4,000-6,000 | |
| Bearing the maker's label Lot 218 | — | April 2012 | £1,320est. $ 300-500 | |
| Violin | Labelled Antonius Stradivarius, made by E.R. Schmidt ..., of a golden orange brown colour, use and wear Lot 127 | Bonhams | January 2012 | £438est. £ 300-400 |
| Violin | Labelled Andreas Amati, made by E.R. Schmidt & Co, Violin ..., of a yellow brown colour, use and wear Lot 142 | Bonhams | January 2012 | £600est. £ 300-400 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm 1880 c. | — | January 2011 | £42 |
| Cello Bow | 75.8 cm Markneukirchen, 1935 c. Workshop of | — | January 2011 | £2,308 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Markneukirchen, 1910 c. | — | January 2011 | £1,420 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Saxony, 1910 c. | — | January 2011 | £638 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Markneukirchen, 1927 | — | January 2011 | £750 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm Saxony, 1910 c. Probably by | — | January 2011 | £300 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Markneukirchen, 1930 c. Workshop of | — | January 2010 | £1,769 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm 1900 c. | — | January 2010 | £420 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm | — | January 2010 | £920 |
| Violin | 35.2 cm Markneukirchen, 1890 c. Workshop of | — | January 2009 | £923 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm | — | January 2009 | £460 |
| Cello | 76.2 cm 1905 c. Workshop of | — | January 2009 | £2,734 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm 1900 c. | — | January 2008 | £296 |
| Violin | 36.1 cm | — | January 2007 | £238 |
| Violin | 36.3 cm Markneukirchen, 1900 c. | — | January 2006 | £360 |
| Violin | 36.1 cm | — | January 2006 | £265 |
| Violin | 1920 c. | — | January 2005 | £335 |
| Violin | Mittenwald, 1890 c. | — | January 2005 | £437 |
| Violin | Markneukirchen, 1910 c. | — | January 2005 | £1,804 |
| Cello | — | January 2004 | £663 | |
| Violin | 1890 | — | January 2002 | £690 |
| Violin | 1908 | — | January 2001 | £1,356 |
| Violin | 1890 | — | January 1998 | £1,270 |
| Violin | 19-- | — | January 1998 | £706 |
| Violin | 1890 c. | — | January 1998 | £506 |
| Violin | 1920 c. | — | January 1998 | £230 |
| Violin | 19-- | — | January 1997 | £130 |
| Violin | 1900 c. | — | January 1997 | £260 |
| Violin | 1890 | — | January 1995 | £230 |
| Violin | 1890 | — | January 1995 | £207 |
| Cello | 1900 c. | — | January 1994 | £437 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57 g. | — | January 1994 | £243 |
| Violin | 1890 c. | — | January 1994 | £345 |
| Violin | 1900 c. | — | January 1994 | £345 |
| Violin | 1928 | — | January 1993 | £1,784 |
| Violin | 1900 c. | — | January 1993 | £308 |
| Violin | 1900 c. | — | January 1993 | £572 |
| Violin | 19-- | — | January 1992 | £270 |
| Violin | 1900 c. | — | January 1991 | £770 |
| Violin | 19-- | — | January 1991 | £550 |
| Violin | 1880 c. | — | January 1990 | £352 |
| Violin | 1900 c. | — | January 1990 | £187 |
| Viola | 39.2 cm 1900 c. | — | January 1990 | £770 |
| Violin | 19-- | — | January 1990 | £935 |
| Cello | 1900 c. | — | January 1989 | £1,430 |
| Violin | 1880 c. 3/4 Size | — | January 1988 | £198 |
| Viola | 38.4 cm 1900 c. | — | January 1987 | £352 |
No results match those filters.
Maker Overview
Life
Ernst Reinhold SCHMIDT (1857-1928) was born in 1857 and died in 1928 in Markneukirchen, Germany.
He was apprenticed to J. Kretzschman from 1871 to 1874; sources also refer to his teacher as Jul. Kratzschmann.
He worked as an assistant for O. Bausch Emde and H. Hammig, and from 1874 to 1877, he worked for Riechers in Berlin.
In September 1880, he established himself independently in Markneukirchen, founding the factory E. R. Schmidt & Co., which he led until 1902.
He developed the workshop into an extensive and productive business with his brother, employing a large staff.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- Instruments were produced in various grades, including 'artist' and 'solo' models, which are said to be his personal work.
- Models
- He worked after all common models and also developed his own viola model, which sought to achieve the tonal richness of the so-called Ritterbratschen without imitating their excessive dimensions.
- Design
- His viola model featured a very wide lower part that ran into blunt corners, while the upper part was completely rounded.
- Materials
- Fine classical models were made with varnish and materials appropriate to their grade and model.
- Varnish
- He used both oil and spirit varnish.
- Branding
- Instruments were branded on the back button.
- Labels
- Labels bore the company name and included the inscription: "Antonius Stradivarius / made by E. R. Schmidt & Co.Violin Makers, Saxony / only genuine when bearing our written signature. / E. R. Schmidt".
- Antonius Stradivarius
made by E. R. Schmidt & Co.Violin Makers, Saxony
only genuine when bearing our written signature.
E. R. SchmidtJohn Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Apprenticeship: He was apprenticed to J. Kretzschman from 1871 to 1874; sources also refer to his teacher as Jul. Kratzschmann.
- Journeyman Work: He worked for O. Bausch Emde and H. Hammig, and from 1874 to 1877, he worked for Riechers.
- Awards: He was awarded gold medals at Vienna in 1892 and Leipzig in 1913.
- Business Development: He developed his workshop into an extensive and productive business with his brother, employing a large staff.
- Leadership: He led the factory E. R. Schmidt & Co. until 1902.
Further Information
- Workshop Location: His independent workshop and factory, E. R. Schmidt & Co., were established in Markneukirchen.
- Label Inscription: Labels included the specific text: "Antonius Stradivarius / made by E. R. Schmidt & Co.Violin Makers, Saxony / only genuine when bearing our written signature. / E. R. Schmidt".
- Viola Model Characteristics: His unique viola model featured a very wide lower part with blunt corners and a completely rounded upper part, designed to achieve the tonal richness of Ritterbratschen without their excessive size.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
SCHMIDT, Ernst Reinhold Born 1857, died 1928 Markneukirchen Germany. Apprenticed to J. Kretzschman 1871-1874. Worked for Bausch and Hammig in Leipzig, and Riechers in Berlin. Established independently in Markneukirchen 1880. Developed the workshop into an extensive and productive business with his brother, employing a large staff. Gold medals awarded at Vienna 1892 and Leipzig 1913. Commercial work in various grades: ‘artist’ and ‘solo’ models said to be his own personal work. Fine classical models with varnish and materials appropriate to the grade and model. Branded on back button. Antonius Stradivarius / made by E. R. Schmidt & Co.Violin Makers, Saxony / only genuine when bearing our written signature. / E. R. Schmidt
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Schüler von Jul. Kratzschmann. Als Gehilfe arbeitete er bei O. Bausch Emde, H. Hammig und von 1874—1877 bei Riechers. Im September 1880 gründete er die Fabrik E. R. Schmidt & Co., die sich sehr ausdehnte, und stand ihr bis 1902 vor. Ausser nach allen gangbaren Modellen arbeitete er auch nach einem eigenen Viola-Modell, bei dem er die Tonfülle der sog. Ritterbratschen zu erreichen suchte, ohne deren übermässige Mensur nachahmen zu müssen. Der untere Theil war sehr breit und vor lief in stumpfe Ecken; der obere Theil war ganz abgerundet. Er verwendete Öl- und Spirituslack; die Zettel trugen den Namen der Firma.
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.
