This instrument belongs to a time when Stradivari developed a shape for his violins called ‘long Strad’ or ‘Long Pattern’, and it still bears an original label dated 1694. The author and violin maker John Dilworth, commented on the fact that the ‘Long Pattern’ of the 1690’s was subsequently abandoned does allow that some of his [Stradivari’s] ideas had to be worked out in practice, but these instruments are, in terms of craftsmanship, some of the most beautiful ever made’.
More information: Antonio Stradivari Set 1, Volume 1, Page 252