What is the secret behind
Stradivari's violins?
What is the secret behind Stradivari's violins?
Widely famous and fantastically expensive violins were made by Italian family Stradivari in 18th century. The secret behind their incredible sound and resistance is in the climatic conditions in which the trees they were made of were growing.
In Europe in 17th century there was a ''short ice age'' with very low temperatures, because of which barks stiffened incredibly hard. In addition to that, fir-trees of which those violins were made were transferred in rivers which had especially sour waters, which additionally stiffened the wood. In the end, to their quality contributed the use of varnish which consisted of volcanic dust, and which strengthened the structure of the instrument. Therefore, after almost three centuries the Stradivari products are worth nearly million Euros a piece.
Antonio Stradivari, well-known Italian constructor of violins from 17th century, has made more than 1000 violins during his life. Despite the fact that today it was remained only 600 peaces, Stradivari's violins still achieve high prices on auctions also because of high quality.
For example, Stradivari's violin from 1729 was sold in Christie's auction in New York in 2007 for 2,7 million USD. Final price have exceeded estimated value of 1,5 million USD. Name of buyer wasn't published. This violin, well-known by name "Solomon, Ex-Lambert", by former owner's names, was on the second place on top list of the most expensive violins in the world. In 2006 Christie's has sold Stradivari's violin "The Hammer" for more than 3,5 million USD.
