Stradivarius - The ideal
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How to make a violin: in pictures

19. Stradivarius - The ideal
And this is the ideal. The 'Hammer' Stradivarius, which was sold at auction in 2006 for US$3.54 million. Eighteenth-century Italians Antonio Stradivarius and Giuseppe Guarneri 'del Gesu' are considered to be the greatest violin makers in history. Their instruments are studied meticulously today, and used as models of the ideal Italian style of violin making. Picture: Stan Honda /AFP /Getty Images