Strings across the ocean
This Stradivarius violin was sold by online auction this week for £9.8 million ($15.9m, 1,274m JPY). It was made by an Italian master craftsman exactly 290 years ago. It is called the "Lady Blunt" after a one-time English owner.
The violin was sold by the Nippon Foundation to raise funds for the relief effort needed after the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in March this year. The auction was a public example of a nexus of craftmanship, antiquity, art, globalism, charity (in the sense of giving out of compassion) and modernity which has probably never been possible before our own age. I found this thought very striking as I stared at the photograph of curiously shaped wood on the BBC website.
This particular violin last changed ownership in 1971. The identity of its new owner, as of this week, has not been disclosed but I hope that he/she/they will allow the instrument to be played by a talented musician and in public performance. That too would be giving.
May many victims of the March disaster in Japan benefit. And may the publicity remind others of the continuing needs of our world.