Antonio Stradivari is considered to be the most distinguished craftsman of the instrument . Born in 1644, he established his workshop in Cremona, Italy, and remained there until his death in 1737. He made over 1,000 violins, violas and violoncellos, and was commissioned by King James II and King Charles III of Spain.
Why is a Stradivarius so special?
Stradivarius violins are renowned for their supposedly superior sound when compared to other instruments . ... For example, one study argued that a “little ice age” which affected Europe from 1645 to 1715, was responsible for the slow-growth wood used in the construction of the violins that gives them a particular quality.
Who is Antonio Stradivarius?
Violins Bearing a Stradivarius Label
Antonio Stradivari was born in 1644, and established his shop in Cremona, Italy, where he remained active until his death in 1737. His interpretation of geometry and design for the violin has served as a conceptual model for violin makers for more than 250 years.
How did Stradivari make his violins?
Stradivari made his instruments using an inner form , unlike the French copyists, such as Vuillaume, who employed an outer form. It is clear from the number of forms throughout his career that he experimented with some of the dimensions of his instruments.
How many Stradivarius violins are there in the world?
How many Stradivarius violins are known to exist? It is estimated that in total, Stradivari made around 1,100 musical instruments in total. Of these, 600 are still thought to be in existence. Of that number, only 244 violins are currently accounted for.
What is a Stradivarius worth?
Antonio Stradivari is widely considered the greatest violin maker of all time, and his instruments sell for as much as $16 million .
How can you tell if a Stradivarius violin is real?
- Violin Label and Font. Back then, Stradivarius used to include his name on the labels. ...
- Color. If the violin has a vaguely red color, it was likely made post-1700 because the red pigments slowly began to be introduced into violin varnishes after the date. ...
- Shape and Design. ...
- Cost.
How rare is a Stradivarius?
For one, they are rare. Only about 650 surviving Stradivarius violins exist , and many of them are in the hands of private collectors, safely hidden from public view. There are even fewer cellos, about 55, and about 12 violas. One of the biggest factors in price is how good they sound.
When was the last Stradivarius sold?
In 2014 , the multinational fine art giant Sotheby’s attempted to sell one of the world’s rarest instruments at the highest price of all time—$45 million for the “Macdonald” Stradivarius viola of 1701. The now infamous sealed-bid auction made headlines across classical and mainstream media.
How much is a Stradivarius violin worth today?
The “Messiah Stradivarius” is considered the most expensive violin globally, with a value of approximately $200 million . It is currently in a collection at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England.
Who owns the most expensive violin?
The Soul Of The World’s Most Expensive Violin : Deceptive Cadence After being stored under a bed for a half-century, a $16 million violin is now in the hands of Anne Akiko Meyers , who’s recorded Vivaldi’s vivid Four Seasons.
Who owns a Stradivarius?
The heir of a wealthy American industrial family acquired the violin in 1990, before passing it down to his then 16-year-old granddaughter Elizabeth Pitcairn , who still owns it today.
Who was the most famous violin maker?
Antonio Stradivari is one of the most famous makers of stringed instruments (otherwise known as luthiers) of all time. His instruments are highly regarded and often sell for six figure sums at auction thanks to their unique sound and esteemed history.
What is the world’s most expensive instrument?
The MacDonald Stradivarius Viola holds the current title of being the most expensive musical instrument of all time. It has a price tag of a whopping $45 million.
How old is the oldest Stradivarius violin?
The earliest known Stradivarius violin was made in 1666, when Stradivari was only twenty-two . Some believe that he was the apprentice of Nicolo Amati, the grandson of violin maker Andrea Amati (1511-1577).
Who owns the Red Violin?
Girard’s imaginative speculations became the narrative for his beloved film, “The Red Violin.” Known as the Red Stradivarius and owned by legendary violinist Joseph Joachim , the 1720 Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius would eventually surface in 1930s Berlin.
