‘Joachim-Ma’ Stradivari violin to appear at auction, estimated at $12-18 million

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Sotheby’s has announced it will offer the 1714 ’Joachim-Ma’ Stradivari violin at auction in Feburary 2025 in New York. The violin has an estimated value of $12-18 million, with its proceeds to benefit New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) scholarships.

Considered ‘a masterpiece of sound,’ the violin likely premiered the Brahms Violin Concerto in 1879 via its namesake, Joseph Joachim, one of the most influential violinists of the 19th century.

The violin was then in the possession of Si-Hon Ma, a violinist and pedagogue who graduated with an Artist Diploma from NEC in the 1950s. It was given to the school with the expectation that it could one day be sold to provide student scholarships.

NEC president Andrea Kalyn said: ’After years of individual use by our students, now, we can establish the largest student scholarship programme in the history of NEC, honouring our mission to educate and train the next generation of musicians.

’While it has been a privilege to have one of the world’s finest violins, this sale will be transformational for our students. It fulfills our responsibility to ensure a violin of this calibre is properly maintained and used as the concert instrument it was meant to be. We thank Sotheby’s for their partnership, and we are eager to follow this Stradivari violin’s journey on the world stage.’

Ahead of its sale at Sotheby’s New York in February, the ‘Joachim-Ma’ Stradivari violin will go on view at Sotheby’s London and Hong Kong, with further exhibitions to be announced in due course.

All photos courtesy Sotheby’s

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