Sotheby’s is pleased to announce The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius; A Masterpiece of Sound. Crafted in 1714 by the legendary luthier Antonio Stradivari, the Joachim-Ma violin is distinguished by its history as one of the world’s great playing violins. It was produced at the height of Stradivari’s “Golden Period,” which is widely regarded as the pinnacle of his craftsmanship and acoustic mastery.

The Joachim-Ma is named for two of its distinguished former owners: the Hungarian virtuoso Joseph Joachim (1831-1907), and the celebrated Chinese violinist and pedagogue Si-Hon Ma (1925-2009). Joachim purchased this instrument at the age of 18, for what was reportedly the highest price ever paid for a violin at that time, and it was his principal instrument throughout his storied career. Joachim was a close collaborator of Johannes Brahms, and he almost certainly performed on this very instrument during the 1879 premiere of Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77.

In the 1950s, Si-Hon Ma studied with one of Joachim’s pupils at New England Conservatory. Continuing in his lineage, he purchased the Joachim-Ma in 1967, and played on it until his death in 2009. The estate of Si-Hon Ma donated the Joachim-Ma to New England Conservatory with the provision that it could one day be sold to provide student scholarships, and after years of individual use by several advanced students, the proceeds from this auction will now go towards the largest named scholarship program in the history of New England Conservatory.

The Joachim-Ma will be on view at Sotheby’s London (January 10; 13-15^th) and Sotheby’s Hong Kong (January 17-21^st) ahead of its auction as part of Masters Week in New York. Exhibitions are free and open to the public, but we encourage you to reach out in advance if you would like to schedule a private viewing, or enquire about playing the instrument. 

To schedule a private viewing in London, please contact: 

Maryam Cunningham-Reid 

MARYAM.CUNNINGHAM-REID@SOTHEBYS.COM 

To schedule a private viewing in Hong Kong, please contact: 

Justin Cheung 

JUSTIN.CHEUNG@SOTHEBYS.COM

To schedule a viewing in New York, please contact:

Ella Hall

ELLA.HALL@SOTHEBYS.COM

For assistance with bidding and registration, please contact:

+1 212 606 7000

ENQUIRIES@SOTHEBYS.COM

For all other enquiries please contact:

Mari-Claudia Jimenez

Chairman, President, Americas and Head of Global Business Development

+1 212 606 7537

MC.JIMENEZ@SOTHEBYS.COM

Richard Austin

Senior Vice President

Global Head of Department

Books & Manuscripts

+1 212 606 7385

RICHARD.AUSTIN@SOTHEBYS.COM

Ella Hall

Assistant Vice President

Specialist

Books & Manuscripts

+1 212 606 7385

ELLA.HALL@SOTHEBYS.COM