1715 ‘Baron Knoop’ Stradivarius Sells for $23 Million, Becomes Most Expensive Violin Ever Sold

A landmark sale cements the instrument’s status as one of the finest violins in history

A rare 1715 Stradivarius violin known as the ‘Baron Knoop’ has set a new world record, selling in a private transaction for an astonishing $23 million (£17.8 million). The sale makes it the most expensive violin ever sold, surpassing previous records by a significant margin.

Crafted During Stradivari’s Golden Period

Made during Antonio Stradivari’s renowned “golden period”, the Baron Knoop is celebrated for its exceptional tonal quality, projection, and refined craftsmanship. The instrument features a two-piece maple back, a spruce top, and matching ribs and scroll. Notably, the scroll still bears Stradivari’s original black edging — a detail highly prized by collectors and luthiers alike.

Its most recent owner, US collector David L. Fulton, originally acquired the violin in 1993 for $2.75 million. The instrument was sold earlier this year to an anonymous buyer, with the sale brokered by Joseph Bein of Bein & Company.

A Meticulously Preserved Masterpiece

When it last changed hands, the Baron Knoop required careful restoration. A layer of orange-red varnish had obscured the original finish; it took three months of expert cleaning to uncover the violin’s rich, authentic varnish beneath. The instrument’s impeccable restoration further enhanced its value and historical significance.

Fulton, who once owned a remarkable collection of 27 fine string instruments, described the Baron Knoop as “one of the very greatest Strads” and his personal favourite. Many of his former instruments are now part of the David and Amy Fulton Foundation, including a 1793 Guadagnini viola and an 1898 Voller Brothers copy of the 1735 ‘d’Egville’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’.

A New Record in the Violin World

The sale of the Baron Knoop surpasses the previous world record held by the 1741 ‘Vieuxtemps’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’, which was sold in 2013 for a sum reported to exceed $16 million. That instrument is currently on lifetime loan to violinist Anne Akiko Meyers.

Until now, the most expensive Stradivarius violin was the ‘Lady Blunt’, sold in 2011 for $15.9 million. Earlier this year, another highly anticipated sale — a 1714 Stradivarius — fell short of the record, selling at auction for $11.25 million.

A Testament to Timeless Craftsmanship

Stradivarius violins remain the pinnacle of violin making, prized for their sound, heritage, and rarity. Played by some of the world’s greatest virtuosos and housed in prestigious collections, these instruments continue to command extraordinary interest — and extraordinary prices.

The record-breaking sale of the Baron Knoop highlights not only the enduring legacy of Stradivari’s work but also the instrument’s status as a timeless piece of cultural and artistic history.