Who doesn’t love music? If you are looking for an easy way to de-stress, you can hear music. One of the important solo musical instruments is the violin. When musician set their bow across the string, the audiences are mesmerized by the magic of the melody.
There are different types of violin with a different price range. Although every violin is special in its way, some are immensely rare that collectors don’t hesitate to spend a huge amount of money to collect them.
Do you know what makes the violin expensive? While researching the most expensive violin, I have found several reasons. Let me explain it to you.
If a violin carries the fame of Stradivari and Guarneri or if a violin is played by the best musician in the world, it is considered to be one of the expensive violins. Another reason we may include is that if a violin was crafted 300 years ago, you can presume that it will be more costly than others.
Here I have made a list of such top 10 most expensive violin.
Ex-Szigeti Stradivari
Price:- $6,000,000
The Ex-Szigeti Stradivari violin is additionally referred to as the name of Ludwig which is made by Stradivari in 1724. Stradivari is acknowledged as one of the master craftsmen of his era. It bears the monument: “Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis faciebat Anno 1724”.It is known for its beauty and fitness and is currently priced at $6,000’000.
Though it has made its way across various violinists but in 1989 Landesbank Baden-Württemberg had been bought this beautiful violin. The Ex-Szigeti is bestowed to musicians to use.
NINE
Dolphin Stradivari
Price:- $6,000,000
Another antique violin made by Antonio Stradivari is the “Dolphin Stradivari” which has achieved a premium price of around $6,000,000.
In the 19th century, this instrument was named by its owner George Hart, due to the back of the violin, with its shape and its smoldering color reminded him of a dolphin.
Currently, it is owned by the Nippon Music Foundation and at present, it is on debt to violinist Akiko Suwanai. The Dolphin Stradivari is legendary for its tonal quality. Along with ‘Alard’ and ‘Messiah’, it is one among the highest three violins made by Stradivari.
EIGHT
La Pucelle Stradivari
Price:- $6,000,000
La Pucella is one of the finest violins made by the famous artisan Antonio Stradivari and it is currently worth around $6,000,000. The instrument was named “The Virgin” by a Parisian luthier called Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume. After seeing its pristine condition, Vuillaume declared it to be as pure as a virgin.
La Pucella features a tailpiece design that creates it different from other Stradivarius violins and it has a carving of Joan of Arc which has been crafted by Vuillaume.
The violin is currently owned by David L. Fulton who brought it from the heiress, Huguette Clark. To date, the La Pucella remains in pristine condition without having any cracks and no retouching.
SEVEN
Lord Wilton
Price:- $6,000,000
Another creation of the Guarneri del Gesu is the 1742 Lord Wilton. The instrument was made in the city named Cremona. A musician, Seymour Egerton, who was the 4th Earl of Wilton named this antique instrument.
The violin was under the guardianship of him during the 19th century. From 1978 to 1999, renowned violinist Yehudi Menuhin owned this instrument.
In 1999, after Menuhin’s demise, David L. Fulton who is a collector of rare instruments bought it for $6,000,000. To that date, It was the utmost price to purchase a violin. Some notable violinists such as Yehudi Menuhin, Zlatko Balokovic, and Lady Speyer played this violin.
SIX
Mary Portman
Price:- $10,000,000
Mary Portman is one of the rare and expensive violins fabricated by Guarneri de Gesso in 1735. It receives its name from an honorable British lady Mary Isabel Portman. Mary lived in London and the architect of the Kranzbach Castle. The violin was under her possession during the First World War.
The Violin had been played by several violinists such as Fritz Kreisler, Yi Jia Susanne, and Adele and currently, Mary Portman is worth around $10,000,000.
FIVE
Ex-Kochanski Guarneri
Price:- $10,000,000
1741, Ex-Kochanski Guarneri violin is exceptional due to its fine state of preservation and pristine varnish. This is one of Guarneri’s finest instruments exist. The thickness of the coat is almost undisturbed by polishing, and its glistening texture emphasizes the instrument’s freshness and natural condition. This instrument is named by its first owner, Polish violinist Paul Kochanski.
The Ex-Kochanski was employed by an American violinist Aaron Rosand for nearly 40 years. At present, the violin is valued at US$10 million.
FOUR
Carrodus Guarneri
Price:- $10,000,000
This 1743 violin, nickname ‘Carrodus ‘’, was crafted by Guarneri de Gesu. It is one of the finest violins made by him. The Carrodus Guarneri violin is named after one among its owner, Jhon Tiplady Carrodus, who was a British violinist during the 19th century.
The interesting fact about that, it has been made up of an equivalent tree as other Guarnerius violin known as the II Cannone.
At present, the violin is owned by Richard Tognetti who is the leader and the director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Currently, it is valued at $10,000,000. Ossy Renardy and Paganini also performed this beautiful Carrodus.
THREE
Lady Blunt
Price:- $15.9 million
Antonio Stradivari’s Lady Blunt is certainly within the top five costliest violins within the world. The violin sold with a price of US$15.9 million.
Lady Anne Blunt, the granddaughter of famous poet Lord Byron named this violin. She was the first owner of this beautiful instrument and owned this violin for thirty years.
After the 1716 Messiah, the Lady Blunt is reckoned to be the finest Stradivari violin in existence. It had always been under the possession of collectors and seen seldom used. For this reason, it has been able to keep so much of its original condition.
Though it has been played rarely, some renowned players, who had a chance to play it such as Richard Bennet, Yehudi Menuhin, and Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume.
TWO
Vieuxtemps Guarneri
Price:- $16,000,000
Another valuable creation of Guiseppe Guarneri de Gesu; a famous violin maker is the Vieuxtemps Guarneri. It is considered to be one of the most expensive violins in the world which was sold in 2012 for a sum of around $16,000,000.
The violin is named after its owner Henry Vieuxtemps who was a famous Belgian composer and violinist during the 19th century. He loved this violin such a lot that he wanted to bury with it.
The violin has been employed by the violinist Pinchas Zukerman, Yehudi Menuhin as well as Itzhak Perlman. American violinist Anne Akiko Meyers got the Vieuxtemps Guarneri anonymously from the current owner. The instrument is on loan for the remainder of her life.
ONE
Messiah Stradivarius
Price:- $20,000,000
At present, Messiah Stradivarius is one of the most expensive Stradivarius violins in the world. This beautiful violin is fabricated by renowned violin maker Antonio Stradivari in 1716 who resides in the Cremona city.
This instrument is taken into account to be worth $20,000,000.The reason for the high price is because since it had been fabricated during Stradivari’s “golden period”. This violin is extremely on the brink of the first condition when it quit Stradivari’s workshop in 1737. It is said that this instrument has never been played. The original varnish remains in situ and excellent repair.
In 1885, Jean-Baptist Vuillaume who is also a violin maker and dealer bought this violin and always kept it in a glass case. The violin was named the Messiah by violinist Jean- Delphia Alard, the son in law of the luthier Jean Baptist Vuillaume.
Currently, this expensive violin is under the guardianship of the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford University, England. The Massiah was played by some renowned violinists such as Joseph Joachim, Jean-Delphin Alard, Robert Crawford, and Nathan Milstein. Francisco Fullana, another coeval musician wants to play the Messiah. The violin is one of the most valuable of the whole Stradivari instrument.
GENERAL FAQ’s
What is the most expensive violin case?
A violin case acts as a safe place for a violin. At present, 1887 W.E. Hill & Sons violin case is considered to be the most expensive one which is sold by Skinners Auction with a premium price of $17,220. It is the best price ever paid for a violin case.
What is the most expensive violin bow?
A bow is simply a stick with horsehair. The silver and ebony mounted violin bow is the most expensive bow in the world which is sold for $288,960 at auction. It has been made by Francois Xavier Tourte.
Here’s a quick recap of the 10 most expensive Violins in the world:
Messiah Stradivarius – $20,000,000
Vieuxtemps Guarneri – $16,000,000
Lady Blunt – $15.9 million
Carrodus Guarneri – $10,000,000
Ex-Kochanski – $10,000,000
Marry Portman – $10,000,000
Lord Wilton – $6,000,000
La Pucella Stradivari – $6,000,000
Dolphin Stradivari – $6,000,000
Ex-Szigeti Stradivari – $6,000,000
I hope, through this article, you find a clear view of the top 10 most expensive violin in the world.
About Dawson Kutch
Dawson Kutch is a born and raised Alaskan who loves the outdoors and everything it has to offer. Kutch has been an avid hunter and fisher his entire life, and takes great pride in providing for himself and his family. While he enjoys spending time in the great outdoors, Kutch also has a passion for fashion and loves to stay up-to-date on the latest trends. In his free time, Kutch enjoys spending time with his wife and one young daughter. He is always looking to learn more and better himself, both as a writer and as a person.
