Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. The Viotti; ex-Bruce Stradivarius of 1709 is an antique violin constructed by luthier Antonio Stradivari of Cremona (1644-1737). It is one of only 700 known extant Stradivari instruments.The violin receives its name from its first known owner, violinist Giovanni Battista Viotti, who is said to have received it as a love token from Catherine the Great. Viotti is thought to have commissioned the construction of at least one replica of this violin. Subsequent owners include Mr. Menessier, 1824; Mr Brochant de Villiers; Mr Meunié, 1860; Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume; Pierre Silvestre, on behalf of William E. Hill & Sons, 1897; Baron Knoop, 1897; Mr R. C. Baker, 1905; Lewis Bruce; and John Bruce, after whom it is also named.