A Stradivarius violin made in 1707, known as "The Hammer", sold for far more than its estimated price of $1.5-2 million at a Christie's auction today. The winning bid, placed by a private collector, was for $3.54 million. This makes it the most expensive musical instrument ever sold at auction, though there are reports that say private sales have gone even higher. Stradivari is believed to have made more than 1,100 instruments in his lifetime and approximately 600 violins are believed to survive today. The Hammer is said to be from the master craftsman's "golden period," when he produced his finest pieces.

[Image from The Age]