This instrument was produced by Stradivari in 1714, as confirmed by its original label that reads ‘Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis Faciebat Anno 1714’. It is named after one of its past owners, the violinist Leonora McKim, née Jackson, (1879–1969), who was one of the first American women to achieve international fame and who performed with leading orchestras from all over the world. The violin has a two-piece back made of maple cut on the quarter and marked with vivid curls of medium width, descending from the centre joint. The ribs are made from a wood similar to the one of the back, while the head is slightly plainer. The two-piece belly is made of spruce, finely grained in the centre and opening towards the flanks, where the grain expands to medium width. The varnish is of an orange-red colour over a golden ground.
More information: Antonio Stradivari Set 1, Volume 3, Page 108