How Do You Tell An Original Antonio Stradivarius Violin?
When it comes to quality in the manufacture of musical instruments, no name stands out like Antonio Stradivarius. A Stradivarius violin is considered by most to be the peak of musical excellence. Born in 1644, Antonio Stradivarius manufactured violins in his home town of Cremona, Italy, between the late 1600’s and early 1700’s. In the decades and centuries that followed, his work was often copied, but never duplicated. This fact can make it very difficult at times to determine if you have an original Stradivarius or a later reproduction. Examine the inscription first. An original Stradivarious will have the Latin inscription “Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis Faciebat Anno [date],” where the date is the year the violin was manufactured. The problem is that fake Stradivarius violins will also have this inscription, as well as “tribute” reproductions, according to the Smithsonian Institution. Contact the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers to get a membership list. From this lis
