A violin handcrafted in 1714 by Antonio Stradivari, the famous Italian luthier, has been sold for $11.25 million by Boston’s New England Conservatory (NEC) at a Sotheby’s auction. The music school will use the proceeds from the storied violin’s sale to create a new scholarship opportunity for students.

The money from the sale of the violin, which was once owned by the 19th-century virtuoso Joseph Joachim, will benefit a scholarship program at the New England Conservatory.

The conservatory plans to establish the largest student scholarship fund in its history with the proceeds from the 311-year-old instrument. Master luthier Antonio Stradivari crafted the instrument in Cremona,

Stradivarius violins often sell for millions. There's a long history behind them, and violinists who swear they sound better than modern ones.

A Stradivarius violin made in 1714 was sold for $11.25 million by the Sotheby’s auction house Friday, establishing a scholarship fund at the New England Conservatory of Music.

Going up for auction at Sotheby's in New York, it was estimated to fetch around $15 million, as the brand value is simply 'Strad-ospheric.'

Violinist Stefan Jackiw holds the 1714 Joachim-Ma Stradivarius at Sotheby's auction house in New York, 3 Feb 2025.