By Arthur Martin UPDATED: 17:41 EST, 21 June 2011 A Stradivarius violin described as the 'Mona Lisa' of the music world has sold for a record £9.8million at  auction to raise money for victims of the  Japanese earthquake and tsunami. The pristine instrument was made by the famed craftsman Antonio Stradivari in 1721 and is one of  the two best preserved among his violins. The 'Lady Blunt' is named after former owner Lady Anne Blunt, granddaughter of the poet Lord Byron. Record sale: The Lady Blunt violin, made by Stradivarius in 1721, fetched nearly £10m following the online auction
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Proceeds will go to victims of Japanese earthquake
Master craftsmanship: Experts said it was rare to find a @placeholder in such pristine condition