The Most Expensive Violins Ever Sold

violin

When you think of violins, you probably do not think about the expense it is to purchase one. You might think about the lovely music that can be created from a violinist. You might think of weddings because so many choose violinists. You might think of many thinks, but you certainly don’t anticipate that some violins are exceptionally rare, and very valuable. However, it’s one of the oldest instruments in the world, and therefore one of the most valuable. Read on to find out which violins are the most expensive ever to be sold in the world.

Lady Tennant Stradivarius – $2.03 million

This violin is valuable. In 2005 it was sold in New York City by Christie’s to a private buyer. The violin dates back as far as the early 1900s to Charles Lafont, who had the violin for his wife by a famous violin maker. It was crafted by a famous violin maker by the name of Stradivari who lived in the 1700s and made only around 1100 violins in his time; it is said less than 700 remain. This is only part of the reason this particular musical instrument is worth so much money today.

Del Gasa – $4 million

Giuseppe Guarneri lived from the 1600s to the 1700s and remains one of the most famous violin makers in history. He constructed this violin during his lifetime, and it is worth a lot of money now. A Russian violinist and lawyer purchased this violin at Sotheby’s in 2008 for $4 million. It is one of the rarest and most expensive violins in the history of the world.

The Kreutzer – $10 million

An heiress that passed away this year at the age of 104 had a violin sitting in a closet in her home she’d long forgotten about. It turns out that her violin was a Stradivarius, and it’s worth a lot of money. The violin was discovered and set to go for auction at Christie’s in New York City. It’s name comes from the fact this particular violin was once owned by Rodolphe Kreutzer, who was one of the most famous musicians in the 1700s.

The Vieuxtemps Guarneri – $18 million

Giuseppe Guarneri made this violin in 1741, which was shortly before his death. He made the violin for Henri Vieuxtemps, who was a famed violinist at the time. The violin is now for sale for $18 million at Bein & Fushi in Chicago. As of 2010, it was the most expensive violin in the world.

Stradivarius – $45 million

This violin is the most expensive in the world as of 2014. It was created by the famed violin maker Stradivarius in 1719 and it was auctioned at Sotheby’s in New York City in June for $45 million. It was one of his most elaborate, though the current owner is unknown to the public.

(Photo by Paula Bronstein /Getty Images)

Written by Tiffany Raiford

Tiffany Raiford is a lifelong Floridian, wife to my high school sweetheart and mother of four littles (two girls and boy/girl twins...no, they are not identical and yes, I'm sure). My kids love to whine, so I love to wine. My loves include nap time, bed time, date night, travel and evenings and weekends when my husband is home because he handles all diaper changes.