Provenance

Private Collection.

Literature

Daniel Heinrich Schmidt arrived at the Cape from Strelitz, Germany, as a soldier in 1768. He served as sword-cutler in the service of the Dutch East India company from 1768 to 1778, receiving his burgher rights as silversmith in 1779. He married Helena Elizabeth Bastroo on 26 September 1779 and died on 29 December 1811.
Schmidt produced some of the finest Cape silver when compared to his contemporaries, in "A History Of Cape Silver" the author, David Heller, states: "As a master-craftsman Daniel Heinrich Schmidt may be compared - and not to his disadvantage - with Paul Storr, the most celebrated silversmith of the late George III period with whom he was contemporary. Both were deservedly famous in their respective countries…."

Stephan Welz (1976) Cape Silver and Silversmiths, Cape Town: AA Balkema, pages 139.

David Heller (1953), A History of Cape Silver, Cape Town: Maskew Miller.