A.E. Smith is the iconic master of the Australian violin making scene. Born in Essex, England in 1880, Smith immigrated to Australia at the age of 29.

Smith had made a number of instruments before leaving for Australia (The 'Maldon' instruments). In Australia, he teamed up for a short time with Carl Rothhammer and developed a much more refined style. This is mostly seen in instruments from the 1930's to the mid 1950's.

In the late 1950's he suffered a series of strokes and the clean, precise work of his 'best' period gives way to a slightly lumpy, wobbly appearance. His varnish also reverted from a complex antique finish back to a simple, full 'new' finish.

This instrument, produced a few years before infirmity set in, is an homogenously varnished copy of a Guarneri violin owned by Isaac Stern. We have full provenance of this instrument since it left the workshop.