Ma acquired the violin in 1969 and his estate gifted it to the New England Conservatory in Boston after his death. Ma attended the conservatory, where he earned a master's degree in 1950.

Crafted in 1714 by Antonio Stradivari, the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius is estimated to sell for $12 million to $18 million when it hits the auction block next month.

Sotheby’s New York said the sale price of the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius is being used by the New England Conservatory (NEC) to establish a scholarship in support of future generations of musicians.

Violinist Stefan Jackiw plays the 1714 Joachim-Ma Stradivarius at Sotheby's auction house in New York on Feb. 3, 2025, where it is expected to sell for $12 million to $18 million this week.

The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius violin is on display during a preview of the violin's auction at Sotheby's in New York City on February 3, 2025.

BOSTON - An extremely valuable violin is being auctioned off to raise money for scholarships at the New England Conservatory in Boston. The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius was crafted in 1714 by the famed ...

A violin made by the famed Antonio Stradivari in 1714 has the potential to become the most expensive musical instrument ever sold when it goes up for auction at Sotheby’s in New York.

New England Conservatory graduate Geneva Lewis plays the 1714 "Joachim-Ma" Stradivarius violin at Sotheby’s New York before its auction on Friday, Feb. 7. Ben Levine/Sotheby's ...

Sotheby's is calling the violin the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius. It was owned and played for decades by Joseph Joachim, one of the most famous violinists of the 19th century.

Joachim traded the violin in 1885 and was owned by several people before turning up in Massachusetts in 1923. Eventually, Ma bought it in 1967 and used it in performances until his death in 2009.

A violin made by the famed Antonio Stradivari in 1714 has the potential to become the most expensive musical instrument ever sold when it goes up for auction on Friday at Sotheby’s in New York.