Most prized Stradivarius violin fetches record-breaking sale of $23 million, securing title as most costly violin ever.
In a historic transaction, the 1715 "Baron Knoop" Stradivarius has been sold privately for approximately $23 million, making it the most expensive violin ever sold. Crafted during Antonio Stradivari's golden period, this masterpiece is renowned for its supreme craftsmanship and sound quality.
Named after Baron Fritz Knoop, a distinguished collector and connoisseur of fine violins, the "Baron Knoop" is one of the select group of Stradivarius violins produced in 1715. The violin's exceptional provenance, extraordinary condition, rarity (with fewer than 500 Stradivarius violins known to survive), and exceptional sound quality all contribute to its staggering value.
The sale eclipses other recent notable transactions, such as the 1714 ‘Joachim-Ma’ Stradivari violin, which was sold at auction for $11.25 million in February 2025. The 'Joachim-Ma' violin is historically significant for its association with violinist Joseph Joachim and the premiere of Brahms’s Violin Concerto.
The previous record-holder for the most expensive violin ever sold was the 1741 'Vieuxtemps' Guarneri 'del Gesu', sold in 2013 for $16 million. The 'Vieuxtemps' Guarneri 'del Gesu' is on lifetime loan to US violinist Anne Akiko Meyers.
The "Baron Knoop" was previously owned by US collector David L. Fulton, who bought it in February 1993 for $2.75 million. Fulton, who considers the 'Baron Knoop' to be one of the very greatest Strads and his favorite violin of all, sold the instrument to an anonymous buyer.
The violin required an extensive period of cleaning after being covered in an orange-red varnish. It took three months to clean off the botched varnish job to reveal a rich original varnish beneath. The ribs and scroll of the 'Baron Knoop' are made of similar wood, and the scroll retains Stradivari's original black edging. The top of the violin is made of two pieces of spruce.
The private sale of the 1714 Stradivarius violin was facilitated by Joseph Bein of Bein & Co. The 'Baron Knoop' joins other instruments in Fulton's collection, which included a 1793 Guadagnini viola and an 1898 Voller Brothers copy of the 1735 'd'Egville' Guarneri 'del Gesu'. However, Fulton's collection has been significantly reduced, as many of the pieces have been sold.
The "Baron Knoop" is hailed for its quality, volume, and articulation. Its new owner will undoubtedly enjoy the exceptional sound and craftsmanship that have made this Stradivarius a prized possession for centuries.
[1] Information from Joseph Bein, Bein & Co.
The "Baron Knoop" Stradivarius, sold privately for $23 million, not only holds the title of the most expensive violin ever sold, but also offers extraordinary sound quality, making it a highly sought-after instrument in the realm of classical music entertainment. This violin, named after Baron Fritz Knoop, adds to the prestige of this historical transaction with its rarity among the surviving Stradivarius violins and its established reputation due to its exceptional provenance and pristine condition.
