• Author: Antonio Stradivari
• Date: 1716
• Collection: MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
• Technique: spruce and maple wood
• Material: spruce and maple wood
• Inventory: Inv. Cherubini 1988/3

This violin was made by Antonio Stradivari in 1716 and remained in the grand ducal collections since 1819. It is one of the most important instruments in the collection and was made by the master at the apex of his stylistic maturity in his production, which set the classical lines and proportions of violin making in Cremona. The design of the case would be copied by almost every later luthier and is still considered ideal today.

The initial varnish was supposed to be a golden yellow colour but a coat of reddish-brown paint was applied on top. This repainting, and the lack of any of the signs of wear in other instruments from the same period, led to a debate over its authenticity, but scientific and stylistic analyses have confirmed its attribution to the famous luthier from Cremona.