Georg Frederic Schwartz
Strasbourg, 1785–1850
Georg Frederic SCHWARTZ (1785-1850) was a prominent bow maker from Strasbourg, France, and the son and pupil of Bernard Schwartz. He specialized in bow making from around 1810, crafting bows in the style of Tourte, known for their fine metalwork and use of pernambuco, gold, silver, and tortoiseshell. His bows were typically branded "SCHWARTZ, STRASBOURG." While he focused on bows, he also participated in the "Freres Schwartz" partnership with his brother Théophil, which produced violins and violoncellos. He earned a strong reputation for his bow making, though the quality of bows bearing his brand declined after his death when continued by his brother.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
28 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver mounted, unhaired, thin lapping, stick and head blemishes, otherwise good condition Lot 200 | — | June 2025 | £38,934est. € 20.000-25.000 | |
| Silver mounted, unhaired and unlapping, button missing, stick and head blemishes, handle crack and wear Lot 177 | — | June 2023 | £13,892est. € 6.000-7.000 | |
| Silver mounted, unhaired, thin lapping, handle and frog blemishes, handle wear, frog crack Lot 245 | — | December 2022 | £9,920est. € 9.000-10.000 | |
| Silver mounted, later frog of the Peccatte school, minor stick and frog blemishes, head and handle wear Lot 385 | — | December 2022 | £17,138est. € 10.000-12.000 | |
| Gold mounted, later English frog and button, minus hair, thin lapping, stick and head blemishes Lot 235 | — | June 2021 | £6,948est. € 6.000-8.000 | |
| Martin Lovett collection, silver mounted, octagonal stick stamped Schwartz and Strasbourg, ebony frog Lot 58 | — | June 2021 | £25,200est. £ 4,000-6,000 | |
| Silver mounted, round stick bearing an illegible stamp, no lapping Lot 110 | — | October 2020 | £6,600est. £ 3,000-5,000 | |
| Silver mounted, unhaired, thin lapping, minor head and handle blemishes, otherwise very good condition Lot 180 | — | December 2018 | £48,103est. € 10.000-15.000 | |
| Bernard Millant collection, illustrated in L'Archet; gold mounted, tortoiseshell frog, stick blemishes Lot 112 | — | November 2017 | £26,400est. € 25.000-30.000 | |
| Gold mounted, very good condition Lot 300 | — | June 2017 | £19,314est. € 18.000-20.000 | |
| Silver mounted, signed, minor handle wear, otherwise good condition Lot 332 | — | June 2017 | £15,660est. € 10.000-12.000 | |
| Illustrated in L'Archet, p. 332, n. 7, tome II; silver mounted, good condition Lot 380 | — | June 2017 | £35,496est. € 30.000-35.000 | |
| Silver mounted, octagonal stick unstamped, frog and button by Pajeot and not original to the stick Lot 129 | — | February 2017 | £11,354est. $ 12,000-18,000 | |
| Silver mounted, minus hair, thin lapping, minor stick blemishes, otherwise very good condition Lot 400 | — | June 2016 | £27,342est. € 12.000-15.000 | |
| Gold mounted, not original tortoiseshell frog and button, handle blemish, otherwise good condition Lot 442 | — | June 2015 | £40,290est. € 5.000-7.000 | |
| Gold mounted, signed, frog and button not original, minor mortice blemish, otherwise good condition Lot 335 | — | December 2012 | £8,781est. € 9.000-10.000 | |
| Silver mounted, unlapping, head and frog blemishes, otherwise good condition Lot 80 | — | December 2012 | £7,317est. € 5.000-6.000 | |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. without winding | — | January 2010 | £4,660 |
| Violin Bow | N/E 60 g. France, mid-19th C. | — | January 2010 | £6,875 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60.0 g. | — | January 2010 | £10,998 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 58.0 g. | — | January 2010 | £2,137 |
| Cello | 75.5 cm Strasbourg, 1847 | — | January 2008 | £14,983 |
| Cello Bow | G/E 76 g. without winding (frog chevall) | — | January 2007 | £4,935 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60.0 g. | — | January 2007 | £7,512 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 81 g. | — | January 2003 | £10,738 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 59 g. | — | January 2001 | £920 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 79 g. | — | January 1989 | £4,180 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | January 1985 | £3,520 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Georg Frederic SCHWARTZ (1785-1850) was born on April 7, 1785, in Strassburg, and died on December 29, 1849, in Strassburg, though John Dilworth states his death year as 1850. He was the son and pupil of Bernard Schwartz.
Sources contain conflicting information regarding the continuation of the family business., along with his brother Théophil Wilhelm, continued their father's business from 1821, which became known as "Freres Schwartz" after their father's death. However, John Dilworth states that Georg Frederic's workshop continued after his own death by his brother, Théophil.
Georg Frederic Schwartz specialized in bow making from approximately 1810, focusing predominantly on this craft, while his brother Théophil was chiefly concerned with instrument making within the "Freres Schwartz" partnership.
Characteristics
- Bow Making Style
- Georg Frederic Schwartz crafted bows in the style of Tourte.
- Materials and Workmanship
- His bows featured particularly fine metalwork and were constructed with pernambuco sticks, often adorned with gold, silver, and tortoiseshell mountings.
- Branding
- His bows were typically branded "SCHWARTZ" on one side of the handle and "STRASBOURG" on the other, or generally marked near the nut with "Schwartz, Strasbourg."
- Instrument Production (Freres Schwartz)
- The partnership "Freres Schwartz" produced very good violins and violoncellos. Their first violin was dated 1824, and between 1824 and 1852, they produced approximately 80 violins and 30 violoncellos.
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: Georg Frederic Schwartz was the son and pupil of Bernard Schwartz.
- Reputation: Georg Frederic Schwartz gained a well-merited reputation for his bow making.
- Workshop Continuation: After his death, his brother Théophil continued to use the "SCHWARTZ" brand on German and Mirecourt bows, though these were noted by John Dilworth to be of lesser quality.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
SCHWARTZ, Georg Frédéric Born 1785, died 1850 Strasbourg France. Bow maker. Son and pupil of Bernard Schwartz, above. Specialist bow maker from c.1810, in the style of Tourte. Particularly fine metalwork, pernambuco sticks with gold, silver and tortoiseshell mountings. Branded SCHWARTZ on one side of the handle, STRASBOURG on the other. His workshop continued after his death by his brother, Théophil, below, who continued to use the brand on German and Mirecourt bows of lesser quality.
Cecie Stainer+
b. April 7, 1785, Strassburg, d. there, Dec. 29, 1849; and Theophile Guillaume, b. Oct. 13, 1787, Strassburg ; d. July 29, 1861, sons of Bernard Schwartz. Pupils of their father, and at his death succeeded to his business, which became ” Freres Schwartz.” They made very good violins and violoncellos ; their first violin was dated 1824 ; between then and 1852 they turned out about 80 violins and 30 violoncellos. Label: “Freres Schwartz a Strasbourg 1833 No 15.” Theophile was chiefly concerned in the instrument making, Georges gave his time to making bows, he gained a well merited reputation. His bows are generally marked near the nut with ” Schwartz, Strasbourg.”
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Sohn und Schüler von Bernhard Schwartz, dessen Geschäft er mit seinem Bruder Theophil Wilhelm von 1821 an fortsetzte. Er verlegte sich vorzugsweise auf die Bogenmacherei und benutzte hierzu den Brandstempel: Schwartz, Strassbourg.
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