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Violins

While experts debate the origin of the violin, it was most likely derived from an Arabic instrument called the rabab which dates to the 9th century A.D. This instrument was made from a gourd with a long neck. It had two silk strings which were attached to an endpin and strung to pegs that were used to tune the strings in fifths. The rabab was held in a person's lap and played with a bow. After the Crusades, similar instruments appeared in Europe, including the rebec in Spain and the vielle in France.

The violin as we know it originated in Italy in the 1500s. Andrea Amati of Cremona is the first known documented violin maker. The oldest-surviving violin, dating to 1560, is one of Amati's instruments. Antonio Stradivari, the most famous violin maker in history, was an apprentice of Amati's son, Nicolo. Stradivari made more than 1,000 instruments during the later 1600s and 1700s, most of which were considered the highest-quality instruments made. Today, Stradivarius violins are the most valuable – and the most counterfeited -- instruments on the market.

Other famous makers of antique violins who were contemporaries of Stradivari include Jacob Stainer, the first important violin maker outside of Italy, and Matthias Klotz, a German violin maker who studied with both Nicolo Amati and Jacob Stainer. Joseph Guarnerius del Gesu, member of the violin-making Guarneri family of Venice, is considered to be second only to Stradivari in the quality of his instruments.


Quick Facts

  • Many people buy antique violins as investments. Because of this, the antique violin market is filled with forgeries. Collectors should research individual instruments before purchasing
  • The Vieuxtemps Guarnerius violin made by Joseph Guarnerius del Gesu in 1741 was sold in 2014 for a world record price of $16 million
  • The most valuable violin in the world is the Messiah Stradivarius crafted by Antonio Stradivari in 1716. It has never been played, so it is in like-new condition. Its current value is $20 million

Recommended Items at Auction

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4/4 VIOLIN | Ladislav F. Prokop, Chrudim (Czech / Bohemian 1904)
Dec 04, 8:00 PM CET
4/4 VIOLIN | Ladislav F. Prokop, Chrudim (Czech / Bohemian 1904)
by Einszwei Gallery
Est: 0 Kč- 0 Kč
4,400 Kč7 Bids
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Ernst Heinrich Roth 1922 Violin.
Nov 03, 10:00 AM EDT
Ernst Heinrich Roth 1922 Violin.
by Clarke Auction Gallery
Est: $600- $900
$1,0005 Bids
Anton Schroetter 4/4 Violin w/ Adolf Berger Bow
Nov 07, 9:00 AM EST
Anton Schroetter 4/4 Violin w/ Adolf Berger Bow
by Keystone Auctions LLC
Est: $100- $200
$353 Bids
Violin with hardcase, comes with bows and strings. Violin is 60cm L, 21cm W.
Nov 06, 7:00 PM AEDT
Violin with hardcase, comes with bows and strings. Violin is 60cm L, 21cm W.
by Bargain Hunt Auctions
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD302 Bids
Old Violin and Bow with Original Fitted Case
Nov 10, 10:00 AM EST
Old Violin and Bow with Original Fitted Case
by World Auction Gallery
Est: $50- $100
$201 Bid
(3) 19TH C. SAILOR MADE VIOLIN PARTS
Nov 09, 11:00 AM EST
(3) 19TH C. SAILOR MADE VIOLIN PARTS
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $300- $500
$500 Bids
CARLO ROBELLI NEW YORK VIOLIN WITH BOW IN CASE
Nov 09, 10:00 AM EST
CARLO ROBELLI NEW YORK VIOLIN WITH BOW IN CASE
by Antique Arena Inc
Est: $100- $150
$500 Bids
2 OLD VIOLINS: 1 X UNMARKED, UNST
Nov 14, 9:00 AM CET
2 OLD VIOLINS: 1 X UNMARKED, UNST
by Historia Auctionata
Est: €0- €0
€1200 Bids
VIOLIN, CHINA 20TH/21ST CENTURY,
Nov 14, 9:00 AM CET
VIOLIN, CHINA 20TH/21ST CENTURY,
by Historia Auctionata
Est: €0- €0
€800 Bids
VIOLIN AND BOW WITH CASE, GERMANY
Nov 14, 9:00 AM CET
VIOLIN AND BOW WITH CASE, GERMANY
by Historia Auctionata
Est: €0- €0
€1500 Bids
VIOLIN WITH CASE, PROBABLY LATE 1
Nov 14, 9:00 AM CET
VIOLIN WITH CASE, PROBABLY LATE 1
by Historia Auctionata
Est: €0- €0
€800 Bids
GEIGE/ VIOLINE, wohl Vogtland, um 1900,
Nov 22, 2:00 PM CET
GEIGE/ VIOLINE, wohl Vogtland, um 1900,
by zeitGenossen Antiquitäten - Kunst - Design
Est: €0- €0
€750 Bids
1/1 Geige im Kasten mit Bogen
Nov 22, 4:00 PM CET
1/1 Geige im Kasten mit Bogen
by Peege Auktionshaus
Est: €0- €0
€2400 Bids
1920 Violin by C.J. Lindvall (Gypsum, KS), Paganini Bow
Nov 09, 10:00 AM CST
1920 Violin by C.J. Lindvall (Gypsum, KS), Paganini Bow
by Circle Auction
Est: $150- $250
$750 Bids
VIOLIN WITH CASE, INSCRIBED ''AND
Nov 14, 9:00 AM CET
VIOLIN WITH CASE, INSCRIBED ''AND
by Historia Auctionata
Est: €0- €0
€800 Bids
Antique Violin in the manner of German Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis 1732
Nov 14, 6:00 PM CST
Antique Violin in the manner of German Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis 1732
by Dallas Auction Gallery
Est: $500- $800
$2500 Bids
VIOLIN WITH BOW IN CASE, 2ND HALF
Nov 14, 9:00 AM CET
VIOLIN WITH BOW IN CASE, 2ND HALF
by Historia Auctionata
Est: €0- €0
€800 Bids
Eduard Reichert Violin Made in Dresden Circa 1909
Nov 14, 6:00 PM CST
Eduard Reichert Violin Made in Dresden Circa 1909
by Dallas Auction Gallery
Est: $600- $900
$3000 Bids
VIOLIN BY CHARLES H. MATHEWSON OF PROVIDENCE, RI, 1933
Nov 08, 11:00 AM EST
VIOLIN BY CHARLES H. MATHEWSON OF PROVIDENCE, RI, 1933
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $400- $600
$1000 Bids
2 STRINGED INSTRUMENTS WITH CASE:
Nov 14, 9:00 AM CET
2 STRINGED INSTRUMENTS WITH CASE:
by Historia Auctionata
Est: €0- €0
€1200 Bids
Enrico Izinati Violin With Case
Nov 14, 6:00 PM CST
Enrico Izinati Violin With Case
by Dallas Auction Gallery
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$1,0000 Bids
Violine im Etui
Nov 21, 10:00 AM CET
Violine im Etui
by Auktionshaus Mehlis GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€1000 Bids
Violine im Etui
Nov 21, 10:00 AM CET
Violine im Etui
by Auktionshaus Mehlis GmbH
Est: €0- €0
€1500 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Violins


Auktionshaus Mehlis GmbH

Auktionshaus Mehlis GmbH

Historia Auctionata

Historia Auctionata

Dallas Auction Gallery

Dallas Auction Gallery