France School
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
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | One-piece back, varnish of a brown colour on a golden ground, cracks, varnish wear | December 2024 | £751 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Mirecourt, 19th C. | June 2011 | £498 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm 1820 c. | February 2007 | £766 |
| Violin | Bordeaux, 1787 | May 2005 | £807 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1830 c. | June 2004 | £629 |
| Violin | November 1997 | £442 |
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.
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.
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.
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Pupils
Bonniseau Pupil
Working in Bordeaux at the same time
(Parisse) Claude Paris worked 1770–1814
(Perrault) Perault worked 1770–1790
(Prevot) Charles Prevost worked 1775–1789
A. B. Mercier worked 1775
Aine Poirot worked 1785–1820
Alexandre Parisot worked 1800–1828
Alexis (I) Boyer worked 1773–1789
Alexis (II) Boyer worked 1783