Stradivari's labels and the dating of his instruments: quick facts

Stradivari's instruments carry printed paper labels reading 'Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis Faciebat', followed by the year, often with his 'AS' monogram. In his later years he sometimes corrected the printed date by hand as he aged. These labels help date an instrument and place it within his career, but they cannot be trusted on their own: Stradivari labels are among the most copied in the world, and countless ordinary or fake violins bear them. Experts therefore use the label only as one clue alongside the instrument's workmanship, varnish, and tree-ring dating. Understanding the labels, and their endless imitations, is an essential part of telling a genuine Stradivari from the many pretenders.

Full stradivari labels and dating page →

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.