An 18th century Stradivari violin sold for about $2.7 million US at a New York auction Monday, but while the final price nearly doubled the pre-sale estimate, it was dubbed a “bargain.”

An anonymous bidder purchased the Antonio Stradivari violin known as the Solomon, Ex-Lambert at a Christie’s auction for $2,728,000 US (including commission).

The instrument, which hailed from what is considered maestro Stradivari’s “mature” creation period, had been expected to fetch between $1 million and $1.5 million US.

The final price paid was “a bargain,” said buying agent Ric Heinl, who represented the winning bidder.

“It’s worth considerably more than that.”

In 2006, the sale of the Stradivari violin known as The Hammer set a new record for highest price paid for a musical instrument at auction when it fetched $3.5 million US.

Posted: 04|3|07 at 4:47 pm. Filed under: US News.