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16 Most Expensive Violins in the World | All You Need to Know

The world’s first vegan violin was made recently with people across the globe wondering if there are more vegan musical instruments.

Ever wondered what violins are made of? For those who enjoy the ambiance of listening to the strings of violin saturating the air to the story of the theft of the most expensive violin in the propulsive novel ” The Violin Conspiracy,” nobody cares about how violins are made.

During the coronavirus lockdown, Padraig O’Dubhlaiodh made the first violin free of animal products. From his Malvern Hills workshop, his vegan violin is now the first in the world to be registered with the Vegan Society’s trademark.

Will this vegan violin make it to the expensive violin list? Well, it is already selling for $10, 000 at the moment. Although it may become one of the most-priced violins across the globe, it may never become the most expensive violin in the world.

This article explores the story and history of the most expensive violins in the world. The table of contents below highlights the order in which they were discussed.

Table of contents

What is the Rarest Violin?

The rarest violin in the world is the Stradivarius original “The Messiah.” This collector piece is in pristine condition and has never been played.

The top of the rarest violin in the world is made from wood from the same tree as P.G. Rogeri violin of 1710. Upon its sale in 1737, The Messiah remained in the Stradivari workshop.

It was bequeathed to the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford in the second half of the 20th century.

What brand of violin is the most expensive?

Vieuxtemps Guarneri Violin has beaten The Messiah to become the world’s most expensive violin ever sold. After it was purchased anonymously for an estimated $16 million, it was donated to Anne Akiko Meyers on loan for the rest of her life.

On the other hand, the Messiah Stradivarius is also considered the most expensive violin brand. It is currently worth $20 million.

Antoine Stradivarius crafted this expensive vintage violin in 1776.

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What Makes Violins Expensive?

If you love musical instruments, you will wonder why some violins are expensive.

The older the wood, the better the sound. So, violins made with wood 20 years and above before their creation tend to be more expensive.

Some luthiers save a special collection of wood for several years before building a violin. Just the age of the wood can drive up the price of the wood.

Another factor that may drive the price of violins up is quality craftsmanship. Violins crafted by a single luthier with a superior quality tend to cost more.

Also, the value of violins appreciates over time unlike other items, which depreciate over time. This means violins that age well may be more expensive than the ones that were newly created.

The most expensive violins ever sold are usually antiques from the best craftmans made from very old woods.

16 Most Expensive Violins in the World

The price of these violins on our most expensive violins list is quite mind-boggling. However, lovers of music and exclusivity can go all the way out, from acquiring vintage violins to satisfying their luxury desires.

Generally, violins at least 100 years old have had time to age in how they sing. They are usually called the $10, 000 000 violins while those of lesser years are termed $1, 000.

In compiling an expensive violin list, these violins’ prices are considered.

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#16. The Titanic Violin

Price: $1.7 Million

Arthur Catton Lancaster made this expensive violin. It was found in the attic of a home in Britain damaged in 2006.

After tracing the history for two years, it was apparent bandleader Wallace Hartley used this violin to play “Nearer my God to Thee” classical music. It is presumed he used this violin to play during Titanic’s last moments.

#15. Lady Tenant

Price: $2.032 Million

Played by ULF Hoelscher, Xiang Gao, Yang Liu, and Charles Philippe L’Afont, Yossif Ivanov owns this expensive violin.

Lady Tenant is an expensive vintage violin made by Italian Luthier Antonio Stradivari in 1699.

This violin was made a year before his ‘golden’ period. It was sold for a record of $2 032, 000 at Christie’s auction in New York on April 22, 2005.

#14. Ex-Ries Stradivari 

Price: $3.5 Million

This is one of the most expensive violins ever to exist. Antoni Stradivarius crafted it in 1693 in his Marlyn Hill workshop.

In 2008, it was awarded to Hungarian violinist Joszef Lendvay, although Reinhold Wurt Music Foundation had right to own the instrument before then.

#13. The Hammer Stradivarius

Price: $3.544 Million

In 1707, Antonio Stradivari made this expensive vintage violin. Interestingly, it is named after Christian Hammer, a 19th-century Swedish collector.

Christian became the first record owner of this violin. And in 2006, the violin was sold by an anonymous bidder for $3.5 million. No one thought it could be dell for that price, as its estimated value was $1.5 million to $2.5 million.

Some notable players like Bernard Sinsheimer, and Kyozo Takezawa had the opportunity to play this violin. Unfortunately, its current owner is not known at the moment.

#12. Molito Stradivarius

Price: $3.6 Million

This is another expensive violin from the stables of Antonio Stradivari. It was made in 1697 and was played by notable players like Elmar Oliveira and Albert Stern. Ane Akiki Meyers is the current owner of this piece of musical instrument.

The Parisian socialite and arts patron Juliette Recamier first owned it. In 1804, it came into the possession of Count Gabriel Jean Joseph Molitor.

At the lower rib, it is branded “Curtis Phila” and bears the label ” Antonius Stradivarius Cremonesis/ Faciebat Anno 1697″.

#11. II Cannone Guarnerius

Price: $4 Million

This is one of the most expensive violins crafted by Guarneri del Gesu. This violin was known for its resonance and power.

Its name Cannone Guarnerius was given to it by a famed violinist Niccolo Paganini. The violin was purposely designed to have a curved neck and a slightly shorter and thicker soundbox.

Eugene Fodor, Shlomo Mintz, and Regina Carter are some notable violinists who had the opportunity to play this violin. It is currently on exhibit in Palazzo Doria Tursi in Genoa, Italy.

#10. Ex-Szigeti Stradivari

Price: $6 Million

Stradivarius made this violin in 1724 with an inscription ” Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis facial Anno 1724″.

This is one of the most expensive violin brands known for its finesse and beauty. In 1989, L-Bank Wurttemberg bought the violin after it had spread across various violinists.

#9. The Lord Wilton

Price: $6 Million

This violin was crafted in 1742 by Stradivarius. This musical instrument was owned and played by the celebrated violinist Yehudi Menuhin from 1978 to 1999.

After his death, Lord Wilton was sold to David Fulton, a well-known collector. It became the highest price paid for a violin to date.

#8. Dolphin Stradivari

Price: $6 Million

George Hart owned dolphins in the 19th century. Its then-owner was named Dolphin because of its shape, appearance, and color.

Made in 1714, John Adams, David Laurie, and Jascha Heifetz were violinists who laid hands on this violin.

#7. La Pucelle Stradivari

Price: $6 Million

Also known as The Virgin, Stradivari made this expensive vintage violin in 1709. A Parisian luthier, Jean-Baptiste Vuilaume gave it its name. The name was given based on discovering that the violin has remained untouched since it left Antoine’s workshop in Cremona.

Although Stradivari crafted La Pucelle, Vuilame, with a carving of Joan of Arc created its tailpiece. He also made carved pegs. Currently, La Pucelle is owned by David L. Fulton.

#6. The Mary Portman

Price: $10 Million

This is one of the most expensive violins made by Guarneri in 1735. It gets its name from Honourable Mary Isabel Portman, a lady who resides in London.

She is the builder of “the Kranzbach Castle.” Mary Portman’s violin was played by notable players like Fritz Kreisler, Adele Anthony, and Mary Portman. Currently, it is owned by Susanne Hou.

#5. Ex-Koschanski Guarneri

Price: $10 Million

Guarneri del Gesu made this exquisite violin in 1741. It is one of the most expensive violins in the world.

Ex-Koschanski gets its name from its early owner Paul Kochanski. This Polish Violinist owned this finest instrument with a deep red varnish from Guarneri till it went to Aaron Rosand.

Rosand used this beautiful for almost 40 years, and it’s currently in a state of preservation.

#4. Carrodus Guarneri

Price: $10 Million

This is another masterpiece from Carrodus Guarneri. It was crafted in 1743 and was named after John Carrodus, an English violinist.

This expensive violin is known for its excellent craftsmanship and construction. It was made from the same tree as the II Cannone.

Violinists like Ossy Renardy and Niccolo Paganini are some players who have played this violin.

#3. The Lady Blunt

Price: $15.9 Million

This is one of the most expensive violins ever sold. It was made in 172 by Stradivari and was owned at various times by Richard Bennett, Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume and Lady Anne Blunt.

Lady Anne Blunt was its first owner. She was the granddaughter of Lord Bryon. There are two best-preserved Stradivarius violins ever to exist. The Lady Blunt is one of it while The Messiah is the other.

This violin retains its original pristine condition because most collectors were more interested in keeping it than playing it. Unfortunately, the current owner of this masterpiece is not known.

#2. The Vieuxtemps Guarneri

Price: $16 Million

Made in 1741, The Vieuxtemp is the current record holder. Until breaking this record-holding feat, The Messiah has been the most expensive violin in the world.

The Vieuxtemp is the most expensive violin in the world. It was first owned by the Belgian 19th-century violinist Henri Vieuxtemps.

Violinists like Yehudi Menuhin, Itzhak Perlman, and Pinchas Zukerman could use this most expensive violin in the world. The violin is donated to Anne Akiko Meyers on loan for the rest of her life.

#1. The Messiah Stradivarius

Price: $20 Million

Made by Antonio Stradivari in 1716, The Messiah is considered the only Stradivarius in existence in a new state. The Messiah is currently in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England.

One of the reasons it is the most expensive violin ever made is that it was made in Antonio’s golden period.

This masterpiece stayed in Antonio’s workshop till 1737, when he died. Also, because most violinists do not play with it as much, it is still in a new condition. Joseph Joachim, Nathan Milstein, and Jean-Delphin Alard are some violinists who had the opportunity to play this violin.

Conclusion

Although vegan violins seem to be making the news recently, the expensive violin list is filled with non-vegan violins. If you are a lover of good classical music, this piece of informative article will brighten your day.

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