Its name comes from the 19th-century collector Baron Johann Knoop, who owned several iconic Stradivarius instruments. In recent years, it was part of the David Fulton Collection, known for housing some of the most valuable violins in the world. The Baron Knoop violin is reportedly valued at around $23 million — though precise sale details remain confidential, as is typical in private acquisitions of this level, making it the most expensive violin ever sold.

In a private sale estimated at $16 million, the violin was acquired by an anonymous patron who placed it on lifetime loan to violinist Anne Akiko Meyers. It is considered one of the finest examples of Guarneri’s work and stands as a testament to the enduring value of his instruments. Meyers has since performed on the Vieuxtemps around the world, helping to ensure that its voice continues to resonate with modern audiences.

In 2011, following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the violin was sold at auction for $15.9 million, with all proceeds donated to disaster relief efforts. It was one of the most generous and high-profile violin sales in history, remaining the highest public price ever paid for a Stradivari at auction, drawing global attention not just for its price, but for its purpose.

Crafted during Stradivari’s golden period, the ‘Lady Blunt’ remains a benchmark for violin makers around the world.

Seidel purchased the instrument in 1924 for $25,000—an enormous sum at the time. He used it in major concerts, radio broadcasts, and Hollywood film scores including The Wizard of Oz and Intermezzo. He even performed with Albert Einstein, becoming his violin mentor. It remains in “concert-ready, pristine” shape, retaining the original neck root, blocks, and varnish layers.

After 15 years without a golden-period Stradivari at auction, in June 2022, this concert-ready Stradivarius was sold at auction for $15.34 million, making it the second-highest Stradivarius violin sale ever at public auction. 

In the 20th century, it belonged to Si-Hon Ma, a prominent violinist and New England Conservatory alumnus. Another masterpiece from the golden year of 1714, the ‘Joachim-Ma’ Stradivari was sold by Sotheby’s in February 2025 for $11.25 million. Its sale benefitted the New England Conservatory by establishing the largest named student scholarship in the institution’s history. 

Rich in provenance, the instrument also spent two years on display at the Museo del Violino in Cremona. Crafted during Stradivari’s most celebrated year, the ‘Joachim-Ma’ violin is praised for its fine maple back, radiant amber-gold varnish, and deep, resonant tone.

One of only about ten surviving violas by Stradivari, its acquisition was made possible through a donation from the David and Amy Fulton Foundation. Its rich contralto tone and exceptional condition make it a national treasure and a jewel of Italian violin making.

The Value of Legacy and Craftsmanship

What makes these the 5 most expensive violins in the world isn’t just age or rarity—it’s their stories, their resonance, and their ability to connect past to present. Whether they were played by Brahms’ contemporaries, Hollywood’s music directors, or modern soloists like Anne Akiko Meyers, these instruments live on through the hands of musicians.

Each was crafted by a legendary Italian luthier—Antonio Stradivari or Giuseppe Guarneri—during a time when violin making reached unmatched artistic heights. Their excellent condition, golden-period craftsmanship, and historical significance make them more than expensive violins. They are priceless cultural treasures.

What Drives These Record Prices?

The sale of a violin for millions might seem unimaginable — until you consider what each of these instruments represents.

• Provenance: Instruments linked to icons such as Yehudi Menuhin, Jascha Heifetz, and Henri Vieuxtemps command higher figures.
• Condition: Clean instruments (no cracks, original varnish) are rarer each year.
• Scarcity: Fewer than 170 Guarneris and 500 Stradivaris survive; demand vastly outstrips supply.
• Sound: Collectors still listen. A violin that dazzles an audience can add millions to its valuation.

A Living Legacy

The 5 most expensive violins in the world are far more than investment pieces. They are living instruments — played, studied, and adored by generations of musicians and audiences. These masterpieces remind us that great violins truly live. Whether housed in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, on stage with a professional cello player or violin soloist, or resting in a private vault, these violins remind us of music’s timeless power.

As musicians draw out new colors, each performance adds another chapter to a centuries-long story. And for investors, the market shows no sign of cooling; a top-tier Stradivarius or Guarneri can out-perform many traditional assets. Their stories stretch across centuries, yet they continue to inspire today. And in a world where art is often fleeting, these masterpieces remain — perfectly tuned testaments to the brilliance of the past.

In the end, the 5 most expensive violins in the world are not merely price tags—they are irreplaceable voices that bridge past and present, proving that the magic of wood, varnish, and genius still resonates louder than ever.