1714 ‘Joachim-Ma’ Stradivari Violin Sells for $11.25 Million

The 1714 ‘Joachim-Ma’ Stradivari violin has been sold at Sotheby’s New York for $11.25 million. The auction took place on 7 February at 11:15 am EST, following a brief performance on the instrument.

Proceeds from the sale will go towards establishing the largest named student scholarship fund in the history of the New England Conservatory (NEC).

This violin, crafted during Stradivari’s renowned ‘Golden Period’, was owned by violinist and educator Si-Hon Ma from 1967. A graduate of NEC with an Artist Diploma in the 1950s, Ma donated the instrument to the conservatory in 2015, with the intention that it would eventually be sold to support student scholarships.

The violin is also named after the celebrated virtuoso Joseph Joachim (1831-1907), who acquired it in 1849 and is believed to have played it at the 1879 premiere of Brahms’ Violin Concerto. In the early 20th century, it was also in the collection of Baron Johann Knoop, a noted collector of fine instruments.