Stradivarius played by Joseph Joachim fetches £9m at auction A Stradivarius violin has sold for 11.25 million US dollars (£9 million), with the auction house claiming it is one of the most expensive musical instruments ever sold.
The instrument, crafted in 1714 by Italian craftsman Antonio Stradivari and used by Hungarian-born virtuoso Joseph Joachim in the 19th century, went for short of its estimate of between 12 and 18 million US dollars (£9.66 million and £14.5 million) on Friday.
Mari-Claudia Jimenez, Sotheby’s chairman, president, Americas global business development, said: “This extraordinary violin represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship and classical music history, its unparalleled sound and storied provenance captivating collectors and musicians alike.
The instrument was crafted during Stradivarius’s “golden period”, during which he created his best work, and was gifted by the late violinist and teacher Si-Hon Ma, who earned his artist diploma from the NEC in the 1950s.
“The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius garnered global attention, achieving one of the highest prices ever for a musical instrument – an acknowledgment of its rarity and historical importance.
