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A violin made in 1707 by legendary instrument maker ANTONIO STRADIVARIUS has set a new world record by selling at auction for $3.5 million (£1.8 million).
The 300-year-old instrument, which went under the hammer at Christie's auction house in New York on Monday (15MAY06), was privately owned but loaned out to world-renowned orchestras.
It was sold to an unnamed buyer described by a Christie's spokesman as a "benefactor and patron of the arts who loves classical music".
KERRY KEANE, head of the musical instrument department for the auction house says of the precious instrument, says, "I have to admit it took my breath away. These violins produce a sound, a tonal quality, that is unrivalled by any other maker.
"When they're played you can hear it at the front of the hall, and you can hear it all the way up at the back in the cheap seats."
The previous record was set by another Stradivarius violin which fetched $2.03 million (£1.07 million) at auction in 2003.
Stradivari's instruments are considered to be among the most distinctive and individual in the history of instrument making. (MP/WNWCGR/JB)
(c) 2004 World Entertainment News Network
