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Lot Essay
This extraordinary bust, although unsigned, can be confidently attributed to the talented carver Wilhelm Schmidt. Born in Idar Oberstein, an important South German lapidary trade center renowned for its large deposits of carnelian and agate, Schmidt began his training at the age of fifteen in the Paris workshop of his cousin, Louis Purper, in 1860. Schmidt rapidly revealed his natural talent, winning numerous drawing prizes. Despite his artistic success, however, the workshop struggled financially as cameos and intaglios fell out of fashion with Parisian collectors. Commercial success arrived only in the second half of the decade, when a single commission from overseas, an order from an American Mr. Fox for onyx cameos of General Grant and Abraham Lincoln, heroes of the American Civil War, was enough to save the workshop's fortunes.
In 1869, the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War forced Schmidt to leave Paris and return to his native Germany. In 1870, however, he left once more, this time to London alongside his brother, Louis. The two established an engraving and gem import business, described in 1872 as both 'Louis Schmidt’ and 'Schmidt, W., Cameo Engraver'. By 1887, he had not only anglicized his name to William, but also become a naturalized citizen.
Although the pool of collectors of glyptic arts was still small, Schmidt adapted his skill to new tastes, carving cameos to be set in jewels, supplying to firms including John Brogden, Guiliano, Castellani, Child & Child and Edwin Streeter, as well as to leading jewelers in America such as Marcus and Tiffany & Co. Working with unusual stone specimens, he is known for inventing a new technique for carving opal to create three-dimensional sculptures which became sought after by private collectors as well as institutions.
This Minerva bust is part of a very small group of sculptures by Schmidt, which includes a rock crystal bust of Christ with identical silver-gilt mounts, in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (A.5-2017), given by the descendants of Schmidt in 2017, and a signed bust of Mars, sold by Bonham's, London, 13 June 2024, lot 57. All of these works demonstrate Schmidt’s skills and creativity, making his work recognizable, unique and hugely collectable.
In 1869, the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War forced Schmidt to leave Paris and return to his native Germany. In 1870, however, he left once more, this time to London alongside his brother, Louis. The two established an engraving and gem import business, described in 1872 as both 'Louis Schmidt’ and 'Schmidt, W., Cameo Engraver'. By 1887, he had not only anglicized his name to William, but also become a naturalized citizen.
Although the pool of collectors of glyptic arts was still small, Schmidt adapted his skill to new tastes, carving cameos to be set in jewels, supplying to firms including John Brogden, Guiliano, Castellani, Child & Child and Edwin Streeter, as well as to leading jewelers in America such as Marcus and Tiffany & Co. Working with unusual stone specimens, he is known for inventing a new technique for carving opal to create three-dimensional sculptures which became sought after by private collectors as well as institutions.
This Minerva bust is part of a very small group of sculptures by Schmidt, which includes a rock crystal bust of Christ with identical silver-gilt mounts, in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (A.5-2017), given by the descendants of Schmidt in 2017, and a signed bust of Mars, sold by Bonham's, London, 13 June 2024, lot 57. All of these works demonstrate Schmidt’s skills and creativity, making his work recognizable, unique and hugely collectable.