This instrument has always been held in particularly high esteem by experts and musicians, and was described by the Hills as follows: ‘The ‘‘Servais” violoncello, as far as we know, stands alone. It is not only the sole example of the year 1701, but we believe it to be the only example which combines the grandeur of the pre-1700 instruments with the more masculine build which we could wish to have met with in the work of the master’s earlier years.’ The cello is the last of Stradivari’s larger models and is especially unique for having survived in its original size.
More information: Antonio Stradivari Set 1, Volume 2, Page 132