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HomeMusicStradivarius violin sells for $11.3 million at public sale : NPR

Stradivarius violin sells for $11.3 million at public sale : NPR


The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius violin is on show throughout a preview of the violin’s public sale at Sotheby’s in New York Metropolis on Feb. 3. It offered for $11.3 million.

Angela Weiss/AFP through Getty Photos


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Angela Weiss/AFP through Getty Photos

A Stradivarius violin offered for $11.25 million at public sale on Friday, exhibiting the continued attraction of the legendary devices, but falling in need of a report.

Video from the public sale at Sotheby’s in New York Metropolis exhibits auctioneer Phyllis Kao opening bidding at $8 million. Bids rapidly rose to $10 million, then bidding ceased.

The ultimate worth consists of public sale home charges. Sotheby’s mentioned it couldn’t share details about the identification of the client. The public sale home had anticipated the instrument to promote for $12 to $18 million.

Sotheby’s referred to the violin because the Joachim-Ma violin, which was constructed by Antonio Stradivari in 1714 in Cremona, Italy. It was most notable for having been performed for many years by Joseph Joachim, one of the crucial well-known violinists of the nineteenth century. It was acquired by violinist Si-Hon Ma in 1967, whose property donated it to the New England Conservatory after his demise.

The Conservatory, which has had the violin for the final decade, mentioned the sale proceeds will go towards a scholarship program.

“The sale is transformational for future college students, and proceeds will set up the biggest named endowed scholarship at New England Conservatory. It has been an honor to have the Joachim-Ma Stradivari on campus, and we’re keen to observe its legacy proceed on the world stage,” Andrea Kalyn, the Conservatory’s president, mentioned in an announcement.

The report for the largest sum paid for a musical instrument at public sale stays with the “Girl Blunt” Stradivarius, made in 1721, which fetched $15.9 million in 2011.

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