'Lipiński' Stradivarius

Filed under Famous instruments & value · Stradivarius Violins editorial team

The Lipiński Stradivarius is a violin crafted by Antonio Stradivari in 1715, positioning it within the maker's most celebrated golden period of production. The instrument takes its name from Karol Lipiński, the renowned 19th-century Polish virtuoso violinist who owned and performed on it during his career. Historical records link the violin to an earlier owner, the Italian composer and violinist Giuseppe Tartini, underscoring its pedigree among the instrument's distinguished custodians over centuries.

The Lipiński gained widespread international attention in 2014 when it became the subject of a dramatic theft in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A concertmaster was robbed at gunpoint and relieved of the violin, an incident that police resolved within days through recovery of the stolen instrument. The case garnered significant media coverage and is regarded as one of the most notable instrument thefts in recent history.

The violin's construction date of 1715 places it squarely within Stradivari's golden period, the decades during which the Cremona maker produced his most highly regarded instruments. This chronology, combined with its ownership by virtuosos of international standing, has cemented the Lipiński's reputation among both professional performers and collectors worldwide. The instrument remains a testament to both Stradivari's craftsmanship and the enduring cultural significance of masterwork violins.

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

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