Rare Stradivari violin could fetch $11 million at auction

STORY: This rare Stradivari violin could fetch $11 million at auction

The 'Hellier' Stradivarius was made by Antonio Stradivari in 1679

It's engraved with ivory diamonds and finished with a golden varnish

(Braimah Kanneh-Mason, Violinist) "I feel incredibly honored, firstly, to be playing an instrument, that’s firstly, so beautiful outside and also the sound as well, but also very excited to be able to have the opportunity to explore an instrument that has so much history and also so much to it. I think the first couple of notes you play, you’re aware that you’re playing something very special and then it’s a continuous discovery of what you can create, which for me is obviously very exciting."

Stradivari's violins are known for their exquisite craftsmanship

Experts say they cost between $8 million and $20 million

Christie's is offering the instrument as the top lot

in its July 7 'The Exceptional Sale'

(Florian Leonhard, Violin expert and Christie's consultant) "I expect a lot of interest for such an instrument because it's so rare that it comes out of a museum. When can you touch a violin like this and own it? It’s incredible. And if you love classical music or beautiful pieces by a household name, Stradivari, in superb condition, with this golden ground, it’s incredible how it looks, then it's the one to try to get."