Notes:

"A full account of this unique instrument is given in my little book, "The Violoncello: Its History, Selection and Adjustment," I may add, however, that Mr. Lutyens- thinks that the "Cristiani" was made to the order of the Viscomti family. That the instrument was made for some wealthy patron is evident. The splendid wood, the beautiful workmanship, the rich deep plum-red varnish, and the beautiful oneness of the whole conception gives evidence that Stradivari intended this instrument to be equal to, if not better, than any he had previously made. The label gives the date 1700, but the final figure was at one time covered by a small piece of paper bearing the figure 8. So whether the instrument is correctly dated 1700, or whether it is of a slightly later date is an open question. The owner - and I must say the evidence of the instrument itself seems to agree - thinks that the later date is correct."

The 'Cristiani' Strad, Arthur Broadley, The Strad, 1923, London

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"The instrument gets its name from Lisa Cristiani, a talented cellist for whom Mendelssohn wrote his 'Song without words' and who tragically died in her twenties. Other celebrated cellist owners were Duport and Hugo Becker. The cello was sold by us in 2006 on behalf of the owners to a European Foundation."

J. & A. Beare - Notable Sales

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"This violoncello is dated 1700, but at one time a small piece of paper with the figure 8 was pasted over the final figure. It is a matter of conjecture, therefore, whether this instrument is one of the missing violoncellos, notably the 'Violoncello da Venezia.'"

The Violoncello: It's History, Selection and Adjustment, Arthur Broadley, The Violoncello: Its History, Selection and Adjustment, London