Works of high value have too often been copied, faked and forged, and fake musical instruments are no exception, in particular Stradivari and Salò violins. So when rare instruments make an appearance at auction houses, like a unique viola of 1575 at Christie’s New York, it often causes a stir. If you think you own a violin made by Antonio Stradivari, because the label says so, you are very likely to be in for a disappointment when...