The Top 10 Most Expensive Antiques Ever Sold at Auction
Introduction: The Timeless Allure of Antiques
Antiques aren’t just decorative pieces of the past — they’re tangible fragments of history, craftsmanship, and human achievement. For collectors and investors alike, some antiques transcend mere beauty and become symbols of prestige and rarity.
Here are the top 10 most expensive antiques ever sold at auction, each representing the ultimate blend of history and value.
1. Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi — $450 million
Sold at Christie’s in 2017, this haunting painting of Christ is the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction. Believed to be painted around 1500, its rediscovery and sale captivated the art world — proving the enduring power of da Vinci’s genius.
2. Giacometti’s L’Homme qui marche I — $104.3 million
This bronze sculpture, meaning “The Walking Man I,” sold at Sotheby’s in 2010. Created in 1961 by Alberto Giacometti, it’s considered one of the most iconic sculptures of the 20th century — a masterpiece of human form and motion.
3. The Pink Star Diamond — $71.2 million
At 59.6 carats, the Pink Star is the largest internally flawless fancy vivid pink diamond ever graded. Sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in 2017, it remains the most expensive diamond ever auctioned.
4. Rabbit and the Fall of the Angels Tapestry — $68.5 million
A 16th-century Flemish masterpiece, this intricate tapestry was sold at Christie’s in 2013. Its exceptional craftsmanship and historical significance make it one of the rarest textiles ever sold.
5. Blue Moon Diamond — $48.5 million
This 12.03-carat cushion-cut blue diamond stunned the auction world at Sotheby’s in 2015. Renowned for its vivid colour and perfect symmetry, it’s one of the most valuable gemstones in existence.
6. The Badminton Cabinet — $36.7 million
An 18th-century English masterpiece, the Badminton Cabinet sold at Christie’s in 2004. Adorned with ebony, gilt bronze, and intricate stone inlays, it’s hailed as the pinnacle of English furniture-making.
7. Ming Dynasty “Chicken Cup” — $36 million
Dating to the Chenghua Emperor’s reign (1465–1487), this tiny porcelain cup is considered the holy grail of Chinese ceramics. Sold at Sotheby’s in 2014, it exemplifies Imperial-era artistry at its finest.
8. Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic — ~$40 million (Private Sale)
With only four ever built, this 1930s Bugatti is one of the world’s rarest cars. Its streamlined Art Deco design and exclusivity make it a true automotive legend.
9. Ming Dynasty “Dragon Jar” — $32.4 million
Sold at Sotheby’s in 2016, this 14th-century porcelain jar decorated with blue dragons on white glaze represents one of the most important examples of Yuan and early Ming porcelain.
10. Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication Watch — $24 million
Commissioned in 1925 and completed in 1932, this handcrafted pocket watch remains a marvel of mechanical art, boasting 24 complications. It sold at Sotheby’s in 2014 and stands as a symbol of horological excellence.
Conclusion: The Priceless Appeal of History
From Renaissance art to ancient porcelain, each of these antiques tells a story — of craftsmanship, culture, and the passage of time. Their astronomical prices reflect not only rarity but also humanity’s deep reverence for beauty and legacy.
For collectors, these pieces represent the pinnacle of what makes antiques so captivating: they’re more than objects — they’re pieces of living history.
