A stolen rare violin made in 1734 has been returned to the family of its rightful owner by authorities in the United States.<br /><br /> Known as the Ames Stradivarius, it was made by the Italian violin maker Antonio Stradivarius.<br /><br /> Owned by famed Polish violinist Roman Totenberg, the violin was stolen in 1980. <br /><br /> In June, it reappeared in Manhattan when a woman handed the instrument to violin maker, Philip Injeian, hoping to find out more about the gift she had received from her late former husband. <br /><br /> “Seeing these instruments first hand, it’s like knowing family members. It’s easily recognisable. So when I saw this one, it was truly a Eureka moment,” explained Injeian. <br /><br /> Sadly, Roman Totenberg never got to see or play his violin again before he passed away three years ago. <br /><br /> Approximately 550 Stradivarius instruments, including violins, violas and cellos remain in existence. One violin sold for a record $15.9 million at auction in 2011.
