Worlds Most Expensive Violin Sells for Record $15.9 Million

The record for the most expensive violin was broken on June of 2011 when a Stradivarius Violin realized $15.9 million at auction. The violin was sold in an online auction conducted by Tarisio and Nippon Music Foundation locatede in London. To this day the buyer has remained anonymous. As of 2013 that record still remains making it the worlds most expensive violin.

1721 Stradivarius Violin Sells for Record $15.9 Million

The 1921 Stradivarius Violin also called the “Lady Blunt,” was named after Lady Anne Blunt who owned the violin for 30 years. Lady Anne was also the grandaucgther of well known poet Lord Byron. This wasn’t any ordinary violin, as it is described as being in remarkable condition due to its original varnish and all of its features being almost completely in intact. Additionally, the 1721 Stradivarius Violin also has a significant historical provenance. It has been owned by numerous collectors which include WE Hill & Son, Jean Baptiste Vuillaume, the Baron Knoop and Sam Bloomifield.

This is beleived to be the most pristine violin in existence, that was made by Antonio Stradivari that is currently in the market. Stradivari instruments are highly prized by many collectors and musicians since only 600 of his instruments or so, remain in existence. Today, any instrument made by Stradivari is considered to be very rare.

According to many this is considered to be the worlds most coveted violin. The 1721 Stradivarius last sold in 1971 in a Sothebys auction where it fecthed $130,000. The proceeds of the sale were donated to the Japan Earthquake and tsunami victims.