Stradivari's cellos compared with his violins: quick facts

Stradivari made far fewer cellos than violins, and the survivors are among the most valuable instruments of any kind. Early in his career he built large cellos, but he later developed a slightly smaller, more manageable pattern, often called the 'forma B', that became a model for cello making ever since. Famous examples such as the 'Duport' and 'Servais' show the heights of his cello work. Because only a few dozen Stradivari cellos are known, compared with several hundred violins, each one is treasured and closely studied. The comparison highlights how Stradivari mastered the whole string family, and how scarcity makes his cellos especially prized by the small number of soloists able to play them.

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Sources: Tarisio — Cozio Archive of stringed instruments; Library of Congress — Stradivari instruments / Whittall Collection; The Metropolitan Museum of Art — musical instruments collection. Educational information only — not financial, investment, or appraisal advice. See our sources & fact-check policy.