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Russian customs nabs French nationals red-handed smuggling Stradivarius violin

The violin has been handed over to the customs officers for verification

© Alexei Filippov/TASS

KURSK, November 28. /TASS/. Border guards have taken into custody some French citizens who tried to smuggle an antique violin with a Stradivarius label out of Russia, the press service of the Federal Security Service’s regional border department said on Tuesday.

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The musical instrument, made in 1750, was found during an inspection of a Renault automobile at the Krupets checkpoint near Kursk, in the western part of central Russia. The violin "may be of a cultural and historical value," the press service noted.

The violin has been handed over to the Kursk customs officers for verification.

Antonio Stradivari (1644-1737) was an Italian crafter of string instruments. His best works were the violins made between 1698 and 1725. After 1730, some instruments with a Stradivarius label were made by his sons Francesco and Omobono, some experts say.

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