Among the finest works representing Stradivari's "Golden Period" is the 1717 "Hamma." Its name derives from Fridolin Hamma (1818–1892), the founder of the prestigious Stuttgart violin dealership Hamma & Company — established in 1864 — who was himself an accomplished craftsman and a passionate collector.

The collection of Hamma & Company included historic Stradivarius instruments such as the "Soil" and the "Emperor," and among them were instruments known by the "Hamma" name, making the lineage complex. Furthermore, the destruction of the workshop and many records in a wartime air raid in 1944 has made it difficult to trace certain details of the provenance; yet the instrument itself has miraculously survived in all its beauty.

In appearance, it embodies the splendor of the Golden Period in every detail. The two-piece maple back displays a medium-width descending flame from the center, and the varnish — a vivid orange-brown over a golden ground — is magnificent.

Its tone has captivated performers of the highest stature. Günter Pichler, long-serving first violinist of the Alban Berg Quartet, described this instrument as "truly the voice of an angel" and declared that it "possesses a great power capable of filling even the largest hall." Maxim Vengerov also used this violin in recitals and recordings during 2016 and 2017, bringing its profound resonance to countless listeners.

The instrument is currently preserved in a private collection.