A Stradivarius violin being sold by Sotheby’s on Friday could set a new world record for the most expensive instrument sold at auction, set by another Stradivarius piece in 2011.

The term as well as the shortened form “Strad” refers to an instrument made by 18th-century Italian craftsman Antonio Stradivari. His works are famous among musicians and collectors for their purported high-quality design and sound.

“’Strad’ is … like a household name for the violin … like the Picasso of the violin world,” Sotheby’s Europe chairperson Helena Newman told Reuters.

The violin in question is being branded as the “Joachim-Ma” violin for two violinists who used it historically: 19th- and early 20th-century violinist Joseph Joachim and 20th-century violinist Si-Hon Ma. It was made in 1714, according to its lot listing.

Joachim purportedly set a sales price record when he first acquired the violin, according to Sotheby’s. The current Guinness record for the most expensive instrument sold at auction belongs to the “Lady Blunt,” another Stradivarius violin sold by the Tarisio auction house specializing in stringed instruments and bows.

The “Lady Blunt” sold for $15,875,800 when it hit the auction block in 2011. Sotheby’s is projecting the “Joachim-Ma” violin will sell for $12-18 million, possibly breaking the record.

The “Joachim-Ma” violin is being sold off by the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston to raise money for student scholarships. A student of Joachim taught Ma during the latter’s time at the school, and the school acquired the piece from Ma’s estate in 2015.

“After years of individual use by our students, now, we can establish the largest named student scholarship program in the history of NEC, honoring our mission to educate and train the next generation of musicians. While it has been a privilege to have one of the world’s finest violins, this sale will be transformational for our students,” NEC President Andrea Kalyn said in a release from the school.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.