Violin
About
instrument in the collections of the Swedish Museum of Performing Arts (F706)
Famous Examples
5These are specific, historically notable physical instruments — each with its own story, provenance, and place in musical history.
The Messiah (Salabue) Stradivarius
1716Maker
Antonio Stradivari · Italian
Current Owner
Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford
Location
Oxford, England
Estimated Value
Priceless (estimated $20M+)
Why It Matters
Considered the finest surviving Stradivarius and the best-preserved violin in the world. It has almost never been played — its varnish and condition remain as close to 1716 as any instrument alive. Named after legendary castrato singer Gioacchino Conti, called 'il Messia' by Count Cozio di Salabue who owned it in the 18th century.
Description
Made in the final decade of Stradivari's career during his 'golden period'. Retains its original varnish — a warm, amber-orange hue — almost completely intact. Because it has been played so rarely, it serves as the gold standard reference for what a Stradivarius looks and sounds like fresh from the workshop.
Provenance
Made by Antonio Stradivari in Cremona, 1716. Acquired by Count Cozio di Salabue c. 1775; sold to Luigi Tarisio 1827; acquired by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, Paris 1855; Joseph Joachim played it briefly; purchased by Hills & Sons, London 1890; bequeathed to the Ashmolean Museum by W.E. Hill & Sons, 1939.
The Lady Blunt Stradivarius
1721Maker
Antonio Stradivari · Italian
Current Owner
Nippon Music Foundation
Location
Tokyo, Japan
Estimated Value
$15.9 million (sold 2011)
Notable Players
Why It Matters
One of the best-preserved playable Stradivarius violins. Sold at Tarisio auction in 2011 for £9.8 million ($15.9M), then the highest price ever paid for a musical instrument. Proceeds funded disaster relief following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake.
Description
Named for Lady Anne Blunt who owned it for 30 years. In exceptional condition with nearly all original varnish intact.
Provenance
Made by Stradivari 1721. Passed through the Brüsseau collection; acquired by Lady Anne Blunt (Lord Byron's granddaughter) c. 1864, who kept it for 30 years; sold through Tarisio in 1895; J. & A. Beare, London; sold several times; auctioned by Tarisio 2011 to Nippon Music Foundation.
The Vieuxtemps Guarneri del Gesù
1741Maker
Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri (del Gesù) · Italian
Current Owner
Anne Akiko Meyers (on lifetime loan from anonymous donor)
Location
On loan to Anne Akiko Meyers
Estimated Value
$18 million (appraised)
Notable Players
Why It Matters
Often described as the world's most valuable instrument. Among the last violins Guarneri del Gesù made before his death. Renowned for its massive, dark, singing tone — preferred by Paganini, who owned a del Gesù, over Stradivarius for performance. The instrument is considered one of the peaks of violin making.
Description
From del Gesù's final years, when his craftsmanship was at its most individual and powerful. Slightly asymmetric f-holes and unconventional construction give it a unique, penetrating sound.
Provenance
Made in Cremona 1741. Owned by Belgian virtuoso Henri Vieuxtemps; subsequently passed through several collections; sold privately in 2012 to an anonymous buyer who placed it on lifetime loan to violinist Anne Akiko Meyers.
Il Cannone (The Cannon) — Paganini's Guarneri
1743Maker
Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri (del Gesù) · Italian
Current Owner
City of Genoa (Palazzo Tursi)
Location
Genoa, Italy
Estimated Value
Priceless — not for sale
Notable Players
Why It Matters
Paganini's primary performance instrument for most of his career. He called it 'il Cannone' (the Cannon) for its explosive, projecting power. Paganini bequeathed it to the City of Genoa with the instruction that it should never be sold — a condition the city has honoured for nearly 200 years. It is still played annually by the winner of the Paganini Prize competition.
Description
A powerful, assertive instrument — slightly larger than standard with unusually thick ribs. Its powerful lower-register resonance makes it exceptional for projecting in large halls.
Provenance
Made in Cremona 1743. Acquired by Paganini c. 1802 — likely given to him or purchased; his lifelong performance instrument. Bequeathed by Paganini to the City of Genoa, 1840.
Violin (GMM1928)
1928Description
Museum catalogue reference GMM1928.