Played One Of The Greatest Violinists Of The 20th Century For An Oscar-Winning Film Soundtrack, This Violin Sells IDR 220 Billion

Illustrated. (Wikimedia Commons / Doug Miller)

JAKARTA - A Stradivarius violin belonging to a Japanese businessman, sold for more than 15 million US dollars or around Rp. 219,224,250,000 in New York, United States.

The violin, made by Antonio Stradivari in 1714 during the 'golden age' of Italian craftsmen, was sold by Tokuji Munetsugu, founder of the Japanese curry restaurant chain operator CoCo Ichibanya, which has owned it since 2007.

According to Kyodo News, June 10, the identity of the lucky bidder who managed to buy one of the rare violins was not immediately known.

Called the 'da Vinci, ex-Seidel,' for $15,340,000, the instrument was once owned by Toscha Seidel, one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century, and played by him. on the soundtrack of the 1939 Oscar-winning film "The Witch of Oz."

Tarisio Auction said the instrument was "picked up, beguiling and in excellent condition" and belongs to the "elite group" of golden period instruments.

Munetsugu, described by the auction house as a "passionate classical music fan," supports talented young international artists, by lending important instruments through the Munetsugu Angel Violin Competition.

According to someone familiar with the matter, Munetsugu wants the over 300-year-old violin to be used outside of Japan, according to the person.

It is known that the highest auction price for a previous violin was that of another Stradivarius, which was sold in 2011, for around $16 million, or around Rp.233,839,200,000 in a London auction, according to Tarisio.

The instrument was registered by the Nippon Music Foundation to raise funds for victims of the massive earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan that year.