A Stradivarius violin made at the « pinnacle » of Antonio Stradivari’s career sold at auction for an eye-popping price this week.
The musical instrument, crafted in 1714 by Stradivari, the luthier most famously associated with the violin, sold for $11.3 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York Friday.
The violin, known as the « Joachim-Ma Stradivarius, » was made during Stradivari’s « golden period » when he was at the height of his acoustic mastery of the instrument, Sotheby’s said.
« This extraordinary violin represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship and classical music history, its unparalleled sound and storied provenance captivating collectors and musicians alike, » Mari-Claudia Jimenez, chair at Sotheby’s, said. « The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius garnered global attention, achieving one of the highest prices ever for a musical instrument — an acknowledgment of its rarity and historical importance. »
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The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius gets its name from its two most famous owners: Joseph Joachim of Hungary, who lived in the 19th century, and Si-Hon Ma of China, whose estate donated the violin to the New England Conservatory in Boston after he died in Philadelphia in 2009.
The conservatory plans to start a student music scholarship fund with the proceeds.
« The sale is transformational for future students, and proceeds will establish the largest-named endowed scholarship at New England Conservatory, » Andrea Kalyn, president of New England Conservatory, said. « It has been an honor to have the Joachim-Ma Stradivari on campus, and we are eager to watch its legacy continue on the world stage. »
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the conservatory for further comment.
The most expensive Stradivarius violin sold for $15.9 million in 2011. That violin was known as the « Lady Blunt » and was made in 1921. It also holds the record as the most expensive instrument ever sold, according to Voice of America.
Sotheby’s had estimated the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius could go for as high as $18 million, which would have set a new record.
The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius was also played during the premiere of composer Johannes Brahms’ « Violin Concerto in D Major » in 1879.
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Bidding was halted at $10 million after 30 minutes, and the final price includes fees.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Publish date : 2025-02-09 00:43:00
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