Fine Italian violins, centuries old, often take center stage at major auctions of musical instruments, and Christie’s sale on April 29 in New York will be no exception. The highest valued lot is a violin made by Giovanni Baptista Guadagnini in Piacenza circa 1740. From the collection of an anonymous musician, it’s expected to sell for $350,000-$450,000.
A number of other violins are featured in the sale, including examples by Enrico Rocca, Jacob Stainer, Paolo Antonio Testore, Antonio Gagliano, and Lockey Hill. These are expected to sell in the price range of $40,000-$70,000. For those with a different sort of music in mind, there’s even a one-owner 1965 Fender Stratocaster. It carries an estimate of $30,000-$50,000.
Read more at Christie’s.
