A.E. Smith Violin Sydney 1927

This violin was made by the ‘father of Australian violin makers’ Arthur Edward Smith in Sydney, in 1927. Smith was born in 1880 in London and migrated to Australia in 1909. After spending just a few years in Melbourne, Smith lived for two years in San Francisco before moving back to Australia in 1914, opening a shop in Sydney. Throughout Smith’s almost 50 years in Sydney, now well-known Australian violin-makers such as Guy Aubrey Griffin, William Dolphin, Lloyd Adams, Ronald Cragg, Phillip Burgess, Cedric Clarke and Harry Vatiliotis began their careers and training here. Between 1897 and 1970 Smith made close to 200 violins, 40 violas and 3 cellos. Smith’s instruments became sought after by prominent violinists of the time including Isaac Stern, Ruggieri Ricci, Yehudi Menuhin and David Oistrakh. Smith passed away in 1978 in Canberra at age 98.

The violin is labelled "Arthur E. Smith / Sydney 1927". The body measures 358mm along the back, 169mm across the upper bouts and 208mm across the lower bouts. It has a two-piece back of highly flamed maple with a medium curl, and the ribs and scroll have been chosen to match the back. The front is finely grained spruce of even growth, and the violin has been finished with ebony fittings and a gold-brown varnish. It is in good condition.

It has a rich and sweet core, with a light touch that doesn't hold it back from expressing intensity when the music or player calls for it. With a very quick response and a slightly lower action, it also manages to combine projection and power with playability, and requires very little extraneous effort to play at a very high level. It's well balanced in all registers, and with slightly different approaches to playing, can blend with a section as easily as it can project to a crowd. As such, this violin would be a perfect fit for a professional player who has to balance many different kinds of performances and styles.

Please contact us if you would like to book an appointment to try this wonderful Australian violin.