The Glory of Cremona: A Violin by Antonio Stradivari named The «Spanish» made in 1677 and played by Ruggiero Ricci. A rare example of the early period of Stradivari’s work and one of the few examples with decorative inlay of ebony and ivory. This famous violin was in the possession of Ole Bull, the famous Norwegian violinist, during the first part of the 19th century. Later it was the concert violin of Paul Kochanski. It has often been called the «Spanish», probably because it has been confused with similar decorated instruments made by Stradivari for the Spanish Court. The date has often been mis-read as 1688.
