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Musical Instruments
Christie’s holds the world auction record for any musical instrument of $3,544,000 for the sale of The Hammer (May 2006) violin by Antonio Stradivari.
Other record prices for Stradivari instruments include $2,032,000 for The Lady Tennant violin (April 2005); £947,500 for the Kreutzer violin (April 1998); £902,000 for the Mendelssohn violin (November 1990); $1,326,000 for the Taft Ex-Heermann violin (May 2000); and £551,500 for the Segelman Ex-Hart cello (March 1999).
While stringed instruments of the violin family generally dominate Christie’s sales, fretted and wind instruments, as well as early keyboard instruments also appear in our sales.
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Department Contact Info
Specialist Profiles
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Kerry K. Keane
International Specialist
Department Head -
Katie Banser
Specialist
New York Contacts
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Kerry Keane
International Specialist
Department Head
kkeane@christies.com
Exceptional Prices
Antonio Stradivari
The Hammer of 1707
Price realized: $3,544,000
May 2006, New York
World auction record for any musical instrument
The Hammer of 1707
Price realized: $3,544,000
May 2006, New York
World auction record for any musical instrument
Eric Clapton's 'Blackie'
A composite Fender Stratocaster, c. 1956-57
Price realized: $959,500
June 2004, New York
World auction record for any guitar at auction
A composite Fender Stratocaster, c. 1956-57
Price realized: $959,500
June 2004, New York
World auction record for any guitar at auction
Antonio Stradivari
The Lady Tennant of 1699
Price realized: $2,032,000
April 2005, New York
The Lady Tennant of 1699
Price realized: $2,032,000
April 2005, New York
Matteo Goffriller
A fine and important violincello, c.1707
Price realized: $620,800
April 2005, New York
A fine and important violincello, c.1707
Price realized: $620,800
April 2005, New York
Hermann Hauser, Sr.
A fine German classical guitar, 1948
Price realized: $180,000
May 2006, New York
World auction record for the maker
A fine German classical guitar, 1948
Price realized: $180,000
May 2006, New York
World auction record for the maker
Tomaso Balestrieri
An important viola, 1774
Price realized: $486,400
October 2006, New York
World auction record for the maker
An important viola, 1774
Price realized: $486,400
October 2006, New York
World auction record for the maker
A solid-body electric guitar by Gibson Incorporated, Les Paul model, 1959
Price realized: $268,000
October 2005, New York
World auction record for any guitar without a celebrity association
Price realized: $268,000
October 2005, New York
World auction record for any guitar without a celebrity association
Pietro Giovanni Guarneri
A fine and important violin, c. 1715
Price realized: $419,200
October 2006, New York
World auction record for the maker
A fine and important violin, c. 1715
Price realized: $419,200
October 2006, New York
World auction record for the maker
James L. D'Aquisto
A fine American guitar, "New York Special" model, 1976
Price realized: $60,000
October 2006, New York
World auction record for the maker and for an Archtop guitar
A fine American guitar, "New York Special" model, 1976
Price realized: $60,000
October 2006, New York
World auction record for the maker and for an Archtop guitar
C.F. Martin and Company
1939, Style 000-42
Price realized: $791,500
June 2004, New York
World auction record for a Martin guitar
1939, Style 000-42
Price realized: $791,500
June 2004, New York
World auction record for a Martin guitar
Giuseppe Guarneri filius Andreæ
A fine Italian violin, 1724
Price realized: £289,750
November 2002, London, South Kensington
World auction record for the maker
A fine Italian violin, 1724
Price realized: £289,750
November 2002, London, South Kensington
World auction record for the maker
Spirito Sorsano
A fine violin, c.1736
Price realized: $156,000
May 2006, New York
World auction record for the maker
A fine violin, c.1736
Price realized: $156,000
May 2006, New York
World auction record for the maker
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