Who doesn’t love antique violins?
Antique violins, to every musician and collector, is something they would always like to have. However, we also do know that they are not easy to come by! These violins may be in the world for hundreds of years, but many of them have fetched millions of dollars in public auctions.
Now, don’t you like to own one?
Values Of Antique Violins Today
Violins came into the world back in the 16th century, when it had its first violin maker in history, Andrea Amati, in the 1500s. In the 17th century, we had famous violin makers, Antonio Stradivari and Andrea Guarneri, each with their own unique craftsmanship of violins.
The antique violins made by them are highly valuable in today’s market. The violins were unique in their own way. Amati’s violins are gilded with the Coat of Arms of French Court, Stradivari’s violins made his best violins during his ‘golden period‘ of between 1700 to 1725. Guarneri’s engraved every of his violin with his initials, ‘del Gesu‘ on it.
While antique violins have been in existence for centuries, some of them were owned and played by famous violinists.
This too explains the million-dollar price tags the antique violins command.
Some of the rare violins played by famous violinists includes:
- Sir Yehudi Menuhin on a US$6 million Lord Wilton Guarneri
- Niccolo Paganini on a US$4 million (insured) Il Cannone Guarneri
- Itzhark Perlman on a US$3.9 million Ex-Vieuxtemps Guarneri
- Elizabeth Pitcairn on a US$1.7 million Red Mendelssohn Stradivari
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Famous Makers Of Antique Violins
Amati, Stradivarius and Guarneri violins are the most famous antique violins exists today. There are also other famous violin makers who came after them, but the workmanship and exquisiteness couldn’t come close to the masters of violin making. Many of the antique violins today are either owned by music foundations who loaned out these rare violins to promising young violinists, bought by rich families who collect as prized possessions, or owned by professional violinists.
Every year, some of the violins will be held up in public auctions where musicians and collectors from all over the world will come to know of this antique violin. Some will bid it live, while some will bid it anonymously over the phone. Some violins are also auctioned at high prices to fund for certain causes.
Related: US$16 million dollar Stradivarius auctioned to fund Japan Relief.
Million-dollar Antique Violins
Currently, the world’s most expensive violin is the Lady Blunt Stradivarius, who fetched a new world record price of US$16 million in a 2011 public auction.
While some antique violins have traded hands several times in history and breaking records one after the other, there are some violins which are being kept for exhibition and never been played or sold.
Find out more about the history of the famous antique violin makers:
Amati | Stradivari | Guarneri
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If an Andrea Amati, converted to modern style from the baroque, was found and sold, what would the approximation of the price be… what if a matched pair like he originally made them was found? What would those be worth together? I’m a writer, I need the info for my next book.
Hi David, you had a great question for us. If you had an Andrea Amati violin with you right now, it would be worth a very high price, given that Amati Violins are really limited in the world right now, compared to other antique violins. However, for the price wise, you have to go to an auction house or a antique violin collector where they will give you a quote of your violin.
Where could one find good information about an Oskar Meinel 1958 reproduction of a 1718 Antonio Strativarius?
Hi Anna, We’re not sure about it, as we don’t have the info about Oskar Meinel 1958 reproduction with us. Apologies 🙂
How much is a antonius stradivarius cremonensis violin 1774 worth ?
How much is a antonius stradivarius cremonensis violin 1774 if it’s a real and how much is it worth and how much is a fake worth ?
Where would you go in the Kansas City area to have a violin appraised? I have a violin that has been in our family since my grandmother’s great-great grandfather and his brothers came over from Europe. Part of the label came out of the inside. It reads “Andreas Amati fe…Cremonae anno 16…” The rest of the label is reportedly inside but not visible through the openings.
I have a violin in a wooden box, with bow and accessories. Inscribed
Joseph Guarnerius facit 1796 IHS.
I presume it is a copy. What is its value?
Guarneri died I think in 1742 or thereabout. So, consider your violin not an authentic Del Gesu. I don’t think any more of the Guarneri family existed that late.
I have a Lauritius Storioni Cremonae facit 1758, complete violin in playable condition, in the case, minus the Bow. I would like to find out the face value of it, can you direct me in the right direction please ?
Hello i am the grandson of a violin maker, by the name of Reinhold Thur who made the worlds smallest violins. I was wondering if you have heard of him? Also i was told he sold them to Ripley believe it or not.
I have a violin which belonged to my Grandfather. He acquired it in the early 1900’s…. Instead of the usual scroll there is a man’s head carved there…. I cannot read the slip of paper attached to the inside. Ever seen anything like that….and any idea when it was made? Where would I go in my area to have it appraised…. (Mpls. St. Paul)
I have a very old violin that is in need of desperate appraisal or if anyone anywhere knows any information on the origin or about it. I am looking for serious inquiries. contact my email for pictures and more information.
morganwcawthorne91@gmail.com
I have a violin that came from a Chicago music school. It has a book and music in it that is dated the early 1960’s it came in a case. Would anyone know what it is worth?
Thank you,
Lori Kestler
Hello,
I have a violin that belonged to my grandfather. It is in pretty bad shape and I am planning on getting it restored. Before I do so, I was wondering if anyone here would know anything about it. The inside label is as follows….
PREMIUM VIOLIN
Manufactured by:
The United States Music Co.
Cincinnati, OH
No. 164 or 167 (the “4” could easily be a 7) (the “164” or “167” is written in pencil)
And on top of this label (which is an actual label – not printed)is either “I897” or “1897” written in pencil”
So far I haven’t been able to find out anything about it.. Any info will be greatly appreciated..
Thanks,
Meg
Meg, I know that violin owners are frequently sensitive to getting a comment about their violin that is somewhat negative, but based on the label, your violin is most likely a student quality violin, meaning it doesn’t have the value that older handmade instruments would have.
My wife’s family have owned an old handcrafted violin that was made in the South, sometime, I believe sometime between 1780-1795. It needs work and cleaning. The reason I think it was made at the interval of time is that it has a carving of the USA federal emblem of Eagle on Shield, the shield has 13 stars which was the federal emblem in use from 1775 -1795, so it may be from that period. I asking if anyone might have some helpful information to add I appreciate it very much.
I have been given a Thomas Jacklin of Hull violin dated 1871 can you give me an idea of the value please. Thanks.
I have a Francois Richard violin. inside is inscribed brought through the civil war captured by CSA in 1900 in glasgow missouri also say’s remodeled by Antonius & S/12- divenus ad, fib. A.D 1900
Dave,
Did you get the F. Richard violin appraised? Did you get it repaired? I have recently acquired one in good shape. I would like to get it evaluated for insurance purposes. Also, I would like to get another. It’s a good fiddle.
I have a broken violin. 1714 stadivarius according to the inner label. Would need major repair and restoration. I am looking to get information on its value and how to sell it. Thank you.
I got 2 violins from my grandfather …. 1-Antonio Strativarius
2-Joh. Bapt. Schweitzer 1813
How can I get some info on them on how I can I sell them
I have a #106 Richard Baucre (sp?) Copy of Amati dated 1907. Does anybody know what it is worth?
I acquired an old violin that a hundred year old man told me that it from ITALY IN THE 1700. It has a snake head onit and has a red tongue sticking out of it. Can you help me
I have an old violin by : STRADIVARIUS BRUNO
made in E MARTIN SACHSEN GERMANY
HOW MUCH IS IT WORTH
I have a violin marked Vincenzo Trusiano Panormo Fecit .made in Bohemia.Anno 1733.it also has a separate note of the last person who worked on it.
How much is it worth?
I have an old violin by : 1860 C G Schuster Junior Made in Germany Violin
HOW MUCH IS IT WORTH
I own a violin that has been handed down for 4 generations of my family. Inside of it the words Petrus Guarnerius cremonensis Filius Andreae Fecit fub tit Sanctae Tereslae. It also has the numbers 1615. It also has a painting of an old castle type building engraved on the back. I would love some information on it if possible. Thanks!
My sister & I have inherited a violin with the label inside stating A. Salvator, Paris H.E.B. Does it have any value & where can we get it appraised in the Minneapolis/ St Paul, Minnesota area?
I just purchased a very old violin. It is beautiful. Owner says its from the late 1800s. A very good violin guy has said it is older than tha. The chin rest says made in Germany . So far I have not ground a tag. Are there any characteristics to look for that wifi give us an idea of history of this beautiful instrument.
I have an old antique violin and the strings are available just needs reconnecting and the case intact as well… can someone help me to get this fixed properly ….
Thank you ;
Ms Ward
My husband has a violin made by Joseph Klotz Junior, dated 1793. There is a hand written label on inside with the names of who it was made for. This violin was his fathers, who owned it for many years. Not sure where he got it. It does need some repair with some pieces needing to be glued. We are wondering how much it might be worth and if we should invest in getting it repaired.
How do you place a value on a Strainer that does have the bow. BUT, with No Tuning Pegs or Strings. I have pictures of the violin.