In London, on july 7th 2022, Christie will sell one of the most famous violin signed by Stradivarius… Signed by the master Antonio Stradivari himself ! So here is the « Hellier » stradivarius violin, made in 1679, and inlaid with diamonds.
Stradivarius violin : the « Hellier » violin to Mark Christie’s Auctions
Next july, the stradivarius « Hellier » violin sale will be remembered. Christie’s will be auctioning one of the best violins in history. A piece of musical history which, signed by the hand of the master who revolutionised the making of violins, changed the creation of sound for humanity.
And it seems that Antonio Stradivari, known as Stradivarius, had a very special relationship with this same “Hellier” Stradivarius violin. For 55 years, the renowned violin maker refused to sell this instrument.
What’s this violon history ? Made early in Stradivari’s career, the ‘Hellier’ Stradivari of 1679 was the first of his violins to evolve significantly – setting the proportions for all future violins.
The “Hellier” Stradivarius set new standards, enriching the tone and having a profound effect on centuries of music and generations of luthiers that followed… And the one that will be auctioned on July 7th has something even more.
Of the 1,100 or so instruments made by Stradivari during his career, only a dozen are ornate, including this specimen, considered by the curators of the Smithsonian Institution to be the best preserved example.
The stradivarius « Hellier », 1679 is The “Hellier” Stradivarius, 1679, is the finest inlaid violin ever made by Stradivari. A masterpiece whose ornamentation is described by Christie’s as follows: “A procession of nearly 500 precious stones… Beginning at the corners, carefully carved ivory circles alternate with delicately engraved ivory diamonds, demonstrating Stradivari’s extraordinary skill in free-hand inlay. This is complemented by the richly flowered silhouettes of flowers and vines carved into the wood and filled with ebony putty, which weave their way around the ribs of the violin and pegbox.
Amjad Rauf, head of this exceptional sale, and Christie’s International Head of Masterpieces and Private Sales, added: “Christie’s is honoured to offer the ‘Hellier’, a rare masterpiece executed around 1679 by the genius craftsman Antonio Stradivari, arguably his most beautiful inlaid violin.”
It is therefore an iconic violin, estimated at between £6,000,000 and £9,000,000, which will be put up for sale in a month’s time. It will be on display until 15 June at Christie’s in London.