10 Most Expensive Violins in the World
The violin is one of the most common instruments in the world. Its history dates back to the 16th century in Italy and is mostly used in Europe. It is used in classical music and other slow music genres. It is regarded as a phenomenal instrument when handled by an expert. It is a string instrument with a very distinctive sound that can be used as the only instrument for a song. In this article, the most expensive violins in the world will be disclosed. You get to know about their designs, price and other vital information.
10. The Ex-Szigeti Stradivari Violin – $6 million
The violin is also known as the Ludwig Violin. It was crafted by Antonio Stradivari in 1724 with a notation “Antonius Stradivarius faciebat Anno 1724.” The Ex-Szigeti Stradivari Violin is one of the nicest and most expensive violins in the world.
It was built by one of the best in the business which guarantees quality and value for money. The instrument is prominently known for its polished glow and finesse. It was last bought in 1989 and it amounts to 6 million dollars. The violin has been played by various violinists throughout the years.
The violin is orange-brown. At the back, it has two small figures which are almost plain, about 35.2 cm. The upper bout is 16.25 cm, the middle bout is 10.45cm while the lower bout is 20.2cm.
9. The Dolphin Stradivari Violin – $6 million.
The Dolphin Stradivari Violin is also known as Delfino Stradivarius. It is made by Antonio Stradivari of Cremona. The Italian is known to be a genius in building the best Violin. He received accolades for crafting several Violins in the world.
Most of his Violins are some of the best in the world. It is one of the most expensive violins in the world. It has a gorgeous layout with good quality.
The Dolphin Stradivari was crafted in 1714 by Stradivari.
It was named after the animal when its owner, George Hart in the 19th century talked about its appearance, color, make, and shape, which reminded him of a dolphin. The assertion is true because the instrument looks like a Dolphin. The instrument requires careful maintenance from any of its owners. Currently, the violin costs 6 million dollars.
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8. The La Pucelle Stradivari – $6 million.
The instrument is also known as The virgin and it was invented by Antonio Stradivari in 1709. The La Pucelle Stradivari Violin was named by Jean-Baptiste Vuilliaume who was a French Luthier and inventor, in the 19th century.
During this period, he dismantled the instrument and discovered that it was never loosed or touched since Antonio Stradivari created it and that is how the other name “the virgin” came to be.
Apart from naming the instrument, Jean-Baptiste Vuilliaume modified the Violin. He put in neatly carved pegs to the violin which adds to its beautiful layout.
The Violin has two pieces at the back which is about 35.3cm wide. The upper bout is 16.7cm, the middle bout is 10.7cm and the lower bout is 20.6cm. The Violin is worth 6 million dollars and is one of the most expensive violins in the world.
7. The Lord Wilton Violin – 6 million.
The Lord Wilton Violin was sold for $6 million to David Fulton who was a collector in 1999, after the death of Yehudi Menuhin, who was the initial owner.
The instrument is sometimes called the ex-Yehudi Menuhin, which is an ancient and expensive violin invented by Italian luthier, Giuseppe Antonio Guarneri in 1742 in Cremona.
In the 19th century, It was named after the owner of the instrument Seymour Egerton who was 4th Earl of Wilton and a musician.
The violin is very unique and beautiful. It has a soothing feel when touched and has a wonderful aesthetic. It is pale golden orange. The back has just a piece which is about 35.2cm. The upper bout is 16.8cm, the middle bout is 11.2cm and the lower bout is 20.6cm.
6. The Mary Portman Violin – $10 million.
The Mary Portman Violin is one of the most expensive violins in the world. It is widely known for its excellent-looking craftsmanship. It is one of the most beautiful violins in the world, with an elegant layout. Back in 1735, the instrument was crafted by the popular violin maker Guarneri del Gesu.
The violin was named after Lady Mary Isabel Portman when she acquired it from the inventor. She was a very important figure in England who was credible for the building of The Kranzbach Castle.
She was the daughter of Guarneri’s friend. The violin is known to have one of the best sounds amongst all violins. It became popular in the early 20th century when it was obtained by Fritz Kreisler who was an Australian Professional violinist and composer. The violin costs 10 million dollars.
5. The Carrodus Guarneri Violin- $10 million.
The Carrodus Guarneri Violin is one of the most expensive violins in the world. In 1743, the instrument was created by Bartolomeo Antonio Guarneri Del Gesu in Cremona, Italy.
The Violin is known for its amazing craftsmanship. During this period, Del Gesu is accepted to be as good as Stradivari in making violins.
The ownership history of the violin begins with Eller who was a Viennese violinist. In the 19th century, the instrument was later acquired by Scottish dealer David Laurie who later sold it.
After several changes in ownership, an English violinist, John Carrodus, purchased the violin and retained it until his death in 1895. The violin got its name from John Carrodus and the inventor.
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4. The Ex-Kochanshi Guarneri Violin – $10 million.
This beautiful instrument is one of the most expensive violins ever created. It is widely known for its shooting feel and tremendous aesthetic.
It was created in 1741 by the violin inventor guru Guarneri del Gesu. It is deep red varnish and believed to be one of Guarneri’s best creations.
The Ex-Kochanshi Guarneri Violin was named after one of its owners, Paul Kochanski who was a Polish Violinist. Later on, the violin was acquired by Aaron Rosand. He was an American Violinist and he used the instrument for 40 years. In 2009, the violin was traded for 10 million dollars to a Russian collector.
It has one piece at the back with a mirror image and is about 33.15cm. The upper bout is 16.6cm, the middle bout is 11.1cm while the lower bout is 20.6cm.
3. The lady blunt Stradivarius Violin – $15.9 million.
This is a Stradivarius violin and the third most expensive violin in the world. It is known all over the world by violin lovers for its unique look and feel.
Back in 1721, the instrument was created by the Italian Luthier Antonio Stradivari who is recognized in Cremona as one of the best violin makers of all time. The instrument was sold to the Nippon foundation recently for 15.9 million dollars.
The violin was named after one of its owners who was the granddaughter of Lord Byron. Today, the violin isn’t played by anyone; it is rather used as an iconic aesthetic to preserve its original condition. The Lady Blunt Stradivarius Violin is known for its beautiful layout and design.
2. The Vieuxstemps Guarneri Violin – $16 million.
The Vieuxstemps Guarneri Violin is estimated to be 273 years old. It is one of the oldest violins in the world. When it was sold, it cost 16 million dollars which makes it the second most expensive violin in the world.
The sale of this violin can make one a millionaire in a day. It is one of the most respectable and cherished violins in the world. The violin is named after Virtuoso Henri Vieuxstemps who was a Belgian. Albeit, the violin had several owners and changed from one person to another continually.
The violin was invented by Guarneri Del Gesu in 1741. It is red-brown and has two pieces at the back of about 35.4cm. The upper bout is 10.9 cm while the lower bout is 20.5cm.
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1. The Messiah Stradivarius Violin – $20 million.
This is the most expensive violin in the world and it is worth 20 million dollars. In 1716, the violin maker guru Antonio Stradivari of Cremona created the Messiah Stradivarius Violin. Today, the violin isn’t utilized as an instrument. It is displayed in the Ashmolean Museum of Oxford, England.
The inventor of the violin is believed to be the best violin maker in the world, to date. He built several violins that turn out to be the most expensive in the world based on their quality in sound, material, and many other things.
Conclusion.
If you’ve been following from the onset, you’ll realize that the most expensive violins in the world are created by Antonio Stradivari or Antonio Guarneri Del Gesu of Cremona. They are the best at making Violins and this is why the best violins come from Italy.
