Where is the label on a Stradivarius violin?
Purchased on eBay for $119.99, this violin has a printed label adhered to the inner back of the instrument. Imitations of the original Stradivarius label began to be manufactured in Europe in the 19th century. They were intended not to deceive but to pay homage to the genuine instruments.
What is a copy of a Stradivarius violin worth?
Anywhere from $50 to $50,000 depending on its maker. The vast majority of violins are copies of some Stradivarius or another; most aren’t marked as such. (In fact, I suspect many violin makers don’t realize that the shapes they’re using were created by careful measurement of a Stradivarius.)
What kind of wood is a Stradivarius violin made of?
The woods used included spruce for the top, willow for the internal blocks and linings, and maple for the back, ribs, and neck. There has been conjecture that the wood used may have been treated with several types of minerals, both before and after construction of a violin.
How much is a genuine Stradivarius worth?
Antonio Stradivari is widely considered the greatest violin maker of all time, and his instruments sell for as much as $16 million.
How do I identify a Stradivarius violin?
Being able to identify the instrument’s authenticity is important, especially for those families who are new to violin lessons and instrument sales. Antonio Stradivari only printed a first digit “1” and the last three digits were hand written (see pictures).
How can you tell a real Stradivarius from an average copy?
For any experienced violin maker or restorer it takes one second to know a real Stradivarius from an average copy. Often times, these are crudely made student instruments that wouldn’t sell, so shops and dealers would label an instrument to suggest quality.
How much are fake Stradivarius violins worth?
Unfortunately, most of these fake Stradivarius violins are not very valuable. You can easily find the fake ones on online stores like eBay, Craigslist, etc., for anywhere from zero to a few hundred dollars.
How can you tell if a violin is real or fake?
Ideally, if the instrument only reads “Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis 1721,” it is still important to seek another expert’s opinion. However, there are still people who have made copies of similar labels but with additional markings like “Made in Germany,” commonly found in many fake strads.