The Messiah Stradivarius is the most expensive violin ever made, with an estimated value of more than $20 million. It was built in 1716 by Antonio Stradivari, a world-renowned builder of the finest violins. During his greatest period, Stradivari made the Messiah and remained in his business until his death in 1737. Violinists don't use it as much as they used to, which explains its newness. These are some of the factors that contribute to the instrument's high cost.

• It was created during the "golden age" of Stradivari's career.
• In its 300-year history, it has never been played.

In 1741, violin maker Guiseppe Guarneri del Gesu created the most expensive violin, the Vieuxtemps Guarneri. Henri Vieuxtemps, a Belgian violinist who formerly owned it, gave it his name. Other violinists were also given the opportunity to play this 16-million-dollar instrument. Itzhak Perlman, Yehudi Menuhin, and Pinchas Zukerman are among them.

This violin was purchased for $16 million by an unidentified bidder, making it the most expensive violin ever sold. The Vieuxtemps Guarneri was given to Anne Akiko Meyers, a well-known violinist, by the owner. Anne Akiko Meyers has this violin on loan for the rest of her life.

Price: $16,000,000

The Lady Blunt is one of the most expensive violins in the world, costing about $16 million. It was named for its first known owner, Lady Anne Blunt, Lord Byron's granddaughter.

This violin, along with the Messiah, is one of the two best-preserved Stradivarius violins ever made. This is due to the fact that collectors prefer to retain it rather than playing it. Because violinists didn't use it as much, it was able to keep its original perfect condition. While the current owner is unknown, it has been tested by numerous noteworthy players. Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume and Richard Bennett are two among them.

Price: $15,900,000

The Carrodus Guarneri, made in 1743, is one of Guarneri del Gesu's greatest instruments. Its exceptional craftsmanship and build demonstrate this. The violin was originally held by English performer John Carrodus, who gave it its name. Ossy Renardy and Niccolo Paganini are two other renowned Carrodus Guarneri users.

This violin is currently owned by Richard Tognetti, the creative director, and conductor of the Australian Chamber Orchestra. The violin, according to Tognetti, is "deep, mysterious, and lovely." The materials used in Carrodus Guarneri and another Guarneri violin known as the Il Cannone are from the same tree.

Price: $10,000,000

Guarneri del Gesu's Ex-Kochanski Guarneri is a beautiful violin created in 1741. It has a rich red varnish and is one of Guarneri's most beautiful instruments. Paul Kochanski, a Polish violinist, was the first owner of this violin. It was later sold to American violinist Aaron Rosand, who played it for nearly 40 years.

The Ex-Kochanski Guarneri violin was sold to an anonymous Russian collector in 2009. Rosand, on the other hand, donated $1.5 million to the Curtis Institute of Music. This violin is currently in a fantastic state of preservation.

Price: $10,000,000

Guarneri del Gesu also created the Mary Portman violin, which he constructed in 1735. With its hypnotizing melody, this violin is able to capture the mood of those around it. It was named after the Honorable Mary Isabel Portman, a British woman who designed and built the Kranzbacj Castle. She was Guarneri's peer's daughter.

Other violinists, like Fritz Kreisler and Adele Anthony, had the opportunity to play with it in addition to Mary Portman. This violin is now on loan from the Stradivari Society and is being played by Francisco Fullana.

Price: $10,000,000

The Lord Wilton violin is one of Guarneri del Gesu's most expensive instruments. In 1742, it was created in Cremona and named after Seymore Egerton, the 4th Earl of Wilton. This vintage violin belonged to him in the nineteenth century. Between 1978 and 1999, the violin was owned by Yehudi Menuhin, an American violinist.

Menuhin's violin was purchased for $6 million by collector David L. Fulton after Menuhin's death in 1999. Other great violinists, like Lord Wilton and Yehudi Menuhin, have also had the opportunity to play this violin. Zlatko Balokovic, Itzhak Perlman, and Lady Speyer are among them.

Price: $6,000,000

The Virgin, commonly known as La Pucelle Stradivari, is a 1709 Stradivari artwork. After learning that it had remained undisturbed since leaving Stradivari's workshop, a Parisian luthier named it after him. While Stradivari built the violin, it was Vuillaume who carved Joan of Arc into the tailpiece. He also created the intricately carved pegs for the violin.

The La Pucelle Stradivari violin is currently owned by collector David L. Fulton. He considers it one of his best pieces because it is free of cracks, wear, and retouchings.

Price: $6,000,000

Another 1714 Stradivarius violin is the Dolphin Stradivari. The owner of this violin in the nineteenth century named it after a dolphin because of its shape, appearance, and color. Other violinists and collectors have touched this instrument in addition to George Hart. John Adams, David Laurie, and Jascha Heifetz are among them.

The violin is currently owned by the Nippon Music Foundation and is on loan to musician Akiko Suwanai. To keep the violin's glitz and shine, care must be taken with its upkeep.

Price: $6,000,000

Ludwig is another name for the Ex-Szigeti Stradivari. The inscription "Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis faciebat Anno 1724" is on a violin produced by Stradivarius in 1724.

This violin has been played by a variety of violinists over the years and is known for its elegance and beauty. The violin was purchased by L-Bank Baden-Württemberg in 1989.

Price: $6,000,000

The Il Cannone Guarneri is another of Guarneri del Gesu's most expensive violins. The violin was named after renowned violinist Niccolo Paganini because of its resonance and strength. Canon from Paganini, Il Cannone del Gesu, and Cannone are all variations of the term.

Paganini not only named it, but he also believed it to be his favorite violin. It has qualities that distinguish it from other violins. It has a pronounced curved neck and a soundbox that is somewhat shorter and thicker. This violin was played by violinists such as Eugene Fodor, Shlomo Mintz, and Regina Carter. It is currently on display at Palazzo Doria Tursi in Genoa, Italy.

Price: $4,000,000

Throughout its history, the Molitor Stradivarius has had a long list of players. This violin, which dates from 1697, is another Stradivarius creation. Many people assumed it belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte, but it was actually owned by Juliette Recamier, a Parisian art patron. The violin was then given the name Count Gabriel Jean Joseph Molitor, a Bonaparte Army general. This violin remained in the Molitor family for nearly 70 years after his death in 1849.

The violin was used by violinists such as Albert Stern and Elmar Oliveria. This violin is currently owned by musician Ane Akiko Meyers.

Price: $3,600,000