A rare 18th-century instrument hailed as the "Leonardo da Vinci of violins" is anticipated to fetch more than 10 million euros, or $10.6 million, when it heads to a French auction house in June.

The violin, crafted by Italian luthier Guarneri del Gesu in 1736, has been played in some of the world's finest concert halls, including Carnegie Hall in New York, and is currently the property of virtuoso Regis Pasquier, according to a report.


"There are many violins, but this one is like selling a Rembrandt, a Goya or even a Leonardo da Vinci painting," Sophie Perrine of the French Aguttes auction house said.

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"For [Pasquier], this instrument was perfect," Perrine said.


The nearly three-century-old violin is one of 150 crafted by Guarneri, whose quality of work and longevity are said to rival the work of Antonio Stradivari, another famous Italian luthier, the report noted.

The maple-backed violin is slated to hit the auction block after a three-day viewing period on June 3, according to the report.

Although the instrument's base price is estimated to start at 4 to 4.5 million euros, it would not be surprising if it sold for upwards of 10 million euros, according to Perrine.

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"It's both something very old but yet very current and alive," she said. "And this little thing will continue allowing people to hear its exceptional sound for years to come."