# Is the Messiah violin by Stradivari? · Stradivari "secret" > Three answers have been proposed. The Messiah is a Stradivari of about 1716. leads, with evidence 2 for: supported by its tests. Two are still possible. Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/stradivari-secret/questions/QST0CQAGPJR4XFR/is-the-messiah-violin-by-stradivari Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:58:53+00:00 --- **0** # Is the Messiah violin by Stradivari? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [Is there anything physically distinct about the wood and finish of Stradivari's instruments?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/stradivari-secret/questions/QST0CQAGP34147N/is-there-anything-physically-distinct-about-the-wood-and)·3 answers·0·0 following **Answered: The Messiah is a Stradivari of about 1716.** Passed its tests and review. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. The Messiah is a Stradivari of about 1716. leads, with evidence 2 for: supported by its tests. Two are still possible. ## Why it matters The Messiah's attribution was disputed, and tree-ring dating became the test of it⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQAGFZT51FK/a-dendrochronological-investigation-of-stringed-instruments)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQAGG7M04YP/a-dendroarchaeological-re-examination-of-the-messiah-violin). ## Answers 3 [**The Messiah is a Stradivari of about 1716.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/stradivari-secret/answers/ANS0CQAGXNA7TFB/the-messiah-is-a-stradivari-of-about-1716) Supported by its tests Evidence: 2 for Most likely [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/stradivari-secret/answers/ANS0CQAGYWC5JK4/none-of-these) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: none yet Disputed [**The Messiah is a 19th-century copy.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/stradivari-secret/answers/ANS0CQAGYCR1AVH/the-messiah-is-a-19th-century-copy) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 1 against Disputed ## History 1. 2004[Grissino-Mayer et al. puts forward: the Messiah is a Stradivari of about 1716.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQAGG7M04YP/a-dendroarchaeological-re-examination-of-the-messiah-violin) 1. 2005[Grissino-Mayer et al.: the public ring-width series spans 1578–1686.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQAGGZ27WWP/grissino-mayer-messiah-violin-pcab-itrdb-brit050)For: The Messiah is a Stradivari of about 1716. 1. 2010[Grissino-Mayer et al. puts forward: the Messiah is a 19th-century copy.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQAGGFE1C45/adverse-implications-of-misdating-in-dendrochronology) 1. 2010[Grissino-Mayer et al.: two independent studies date the outer rings to the 1680s; a proposed 1844 date could not be verified.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQAGGFE1C45/adverse-implications-of-misdating-in-dendrochronology)For: The Messiah is a Stradivari of about 1716. 1. 2010[Grissino-Mayer et al.: the 1844 outer-ring date rested on flawed statistics.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQAGGFE1C45/adverse-implications-of-misdating-in-dendrochronology)Against: The Messiah is a 19th-century copy. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/stradivari-secret/questions/QST0CQAGPJR4XFR/is-the-messiah-violin-by-stradivari%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/stradivari-secret/questions/QST0CQAGPJR4XFR/is-the-messiah-violin-by-stradivari%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/stradivari-secret/questions/QST0CQAGPJR4XFR/is-the-messiah-violin-by-stradivari%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/stradivari-secret/questions/QST0CQAGPJR4XFR/is-the-messiah-violin-by-stradivari%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/stradivari-secret/questions/QST0CQAGPJR4XFR/is-the-messiah-violin-by-stradivari%23add-source) Where it fits Stradivari "secret" [**Is there anything physically distinct about the wood and finish of Stradivari's instruments?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/stradivari-secret/questions/QST0CQAGP34147N/is-there-anything-physically-distinct-about-the-wood-and)Key question · most likely stradivari and Guarneri treated their wood with mineral solutions (borax, sulphates, salt, alum, alkali),… [If the materials differ, do the differences change the sound?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/stradivari-secret/questions/QST0CQAGPAY7VZ1/if-the-materials-differ-do-the-differences-change-the-sound)Most likely · the material differences exist but have no reliable audible effect **Is the Messiah violin by Stradivari?** You're here · The Messiah is a Stradivari of about 1716. 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