A rare Stradivarius violin, crafted more than 300 years ago by Antonio Stradivari during his golden period, was sold for $11.3 million at a New York auction on Friday, according to Sotheby’s.
“This extraordinary violin represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship and classical music history, with its unmatched sound and rich provenance capturing the attention of both collectors and musicians,” said Mari-Claudia Jiménez, chair of Sotheby’s, in a statement.
The buyer of the violin chose to remain anonymous.
The “Joachim-Ma Stradivarius,” named after its renowned former owners, has now become the third most expensive musical instrument ever sold at auction.
The record for the highest price remains held by another Stradivarius, the “Lady Blunt,” which sold for $15.9 million in 2011.
Sotheby’s highlighted the “Joachim-Ma Stradivarius” for its exceptional sound — described as rich, complex, and full of depth.
The instrument previously belonged to the renowned Chinese violinist and educator Si-Hon Ma, who donated it to his alma mater, the New England Conservatory in Boston, in 2009. Ma’s donation was contingent upon the violin being sold to fund scholarships.
Before Ma, the violin was owned by celebrated 19th-century Hungarian virtuoso Joseph Joachim, known for his collaborations with composers such as Johannes Brahms.
Related Topics
- Chris Poland Reflects on Megadeth’s Rivalry with Metallica and First Impressions of ‘Master of Puppets’
- Cellist Amit Peled to Play on 1780 Storioni Cello Thanks to Generous Loan
- Beyoncé Guitarist Justus West Criticizes Industry Accolades, Emphasizes Financial Realities After Cowboy Carter Grammy Win
