Stradivari violin made in 1714 sells for $11.3M

NEW YORK — 

A violin made successful 1714 by the legendary luthier Antonio Stradivari sold for $11.3 cardinal astatine an auction successful New York connected Friday, abbreviated of estimates that would person made it the astir costly instrumentality ever sold.

Sotheby's auction location had estimated that the "Joachim-Ma Stradivarius" violin could merchantability for betwixt $12 cardinal and $18 million, with the higher extremity of the scope perchance eclipsing the record-breaking $15.9 cardinal idiosyncratic paid for different Stradivari violin astatine auction much than a decennary ago.

The "Joachim-Ma Stradivarius" is regarded arsenic 1 of Stradivari's champion works, built during his "Golden Period" astatine the tallness of his craftsmanship and acoustic mastery, according to the auction house.

Adding to the intrigue, the violin is believed to person influenced legendary composer Johannes Brahms erstwhile helium wrote the famed "Violin Concerto successful D Major" and was really played during the concerto's 1879 premiere.

"This bonzer violin represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship and classical euphony history, its unparalleled dependable and storied provenance captivating collectors and musicians alike," Mari-Claudia Jimenez, seat astatine Sotheby's. "The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius garnered planetary attention, achieving 1 of the highest prices ever for a philharmonic instrumentality — an acknowledgment of its rarity and humanities importance."

$2M summation successful seconds

Bidding astatine Sotheby's began astatine $8 cardinal and wrong seconds changeable up to $10 million, arsenic auctioneer Phyllis Kao scanned the room, looking for idiosyncratic to enactment up $10.5 million.

"Am I selling? At $10 million," she said, looking to imaginable bidders.

The country was quiet.

"Last chance, astatine $10 million," she said. "I tin sell, and I will, astatine $10 million, unless you spell on."

"Sold. $10 million," she said, banging a gavel.

The last terms includes auction location fees.

Sale funds scholarships

The sanction of the instrumentality comes from 2 of its celebrated violin virtuoso owners, Joseph Joachim of Hungary and Si-Hon Ma of China. Ma's property talented the violin to the New England Conservatory successful Boston aft his death.

The conservatory volition usage the proceeds to money pupil scholarships.

"The merchantability is transformational for aboriginal students, and proceeds volition found the largest named endowed assistance astatine New England Conservatory," said Andrea Kalyn, president of New England Conservatory. "It has been an grant to person the Joachim-Ma Stradivari connected campus, and we are anxious to ticker its bequest proceed connected the satellite stage."