Antiques are not only valuable in terms of sentimental value but also financially. Some antiques have sold for astronomical amounts of money at auctions all around the world. Here are the top 10 most expensive antiques ever sold at auction:
- The Pink Star Diamond: This 59.6-carat diamond sold for a whopping $71.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong in 2017. It is the most expensive diamond ever sold at auction.
- Rabbit and the Fall of the Angels Tapestry: This tapestry sold for $68.5 million at a Christie’s auction in 2013. It is a Flemish masterpiece from the 16th century.
- Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi: This painting of Jesus Christ sold for $450 million at a Christie’s auction in 2017. It is the most expensive painting ever sold at auction.
- The Badminton Cabinet: This 18th-century cabinet sold for $36.7 million at a Christie’s auction in 2004. It is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of English furniture-making.
- Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication Watch: This watch sold for $24 million at a Sotheby’s auction in 2014. It is one of the most complicated watches ever made, with 24 different functions.
- Blue Moon Diamond: This 12.03-carat diamond sold for $48.5 million at a Sotheby’s auction in 2015. It is the largest cushion-shaped blue diamond ever to appear at auction.
- Ming Dynasty “Chicken Cup”: This 15th-century porcelain cup sold for $36 million at a Sotheby’s auction in 2014. It is considered the ultimate trophy piece for collectors of Chinese ceramics.
- Giacometti’s “L’homme qui marche I”: This sculpture sold for $104.3 million at a Sotheby’s auction in 2010. It is considered one of the most iconic sculptures of the 20th century.
- Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic: This car sold for an estimated $40 million in a private sale in 2010. It is considered the ultimate automotive status symbol.
- Ming Dynasty “Dragon Jar”: This 14th-century porcelain jar sold for $32.4 million at a Sotheby’s auction in 2016. It is considered one of the most important pieces of Chinese porcelain ever to appear at auction.
These are just a few examples of the most expensive antiques ever sold at auction. It’s fascinating to see the prices that these rare and valuable pieces of history can fetch.
