Top 10 Most Expensive Antiques in the World

The Badminton Cabinet is an extravagant 18th-century furniture piece, standing at 4 meters tall, that sold for a staggering $35.8 million on December 9th in London. It was purchased by Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein, for the Liechtenstein Museum in Vienna, where it was displayed to the public in the spring of 2019. This monumental 18th-century cabinet has set two records as the most expensive piece of furniture ever sold.

The Badminton Cabinet, also known as the Badminton Chest, was commissioned in 1726 by Henry Somerset, the 3rd Duke of Beaufort, at the age of 19. Thirty specialists spent six years crafting it, and it was named after the Duke’s Gloucestershire estate, Badminton House, where it remained until being auctioned by his descendants in the late 20th century.

The Badminton Cabinet is constructed from ebony wood, measuring 386 cm in height and 232.5 cm in width. It is intricately carved with fine stones, polished and colored, and adorned with semi-precious stones. The clock face placed at the top of the cabinet is marked with lily flowers, flanked by two gilded statues and a family crest. Much like contemporary paintings and sculptures, it was acquired during an era when lavish decorative items symbolized wealth and power.

DETAILS:

Price: $35.8 million

Country of Origin: Italy

Year Created: 1726

Owner: Hans-Adam II

A 17th-century Persian rug was sold for $33.8 million, tripling the previous auction record for a rug. The highest bid for the Clark Crescent Rug was submitted secretly at a Sotheby’s auction in New York. The rug is believed to have originated from Kerman, southeastern Iran, in the early 17th century. It was last displayed at the Corcoran Gallery in 2008. According to the auction house, this rug is one of the rarest examples of a 'vase design,' and is thought to be the only one of its kind with a red background.

The intricate design of the rug features beautiful vines, elaborate flowers, and crescent-shaped leaves. Over 360 years old, the Persian rug is handwoven and measures 8 feet 9 inches by 6 feet 5 inches. Despite its age, the rug is reported to be in excellent condition, suggesting it has been hung for display rather than used on the floor. In the early 1900s, billionaire businessman and politician William Clark purchased the rug from a Parisian dealer during a European tour. It is speculated that the buyer may have been from the Middle East, and that the rug was possibly acquired for a museum in the region, considering its connection to Islamic history.

DETAILS:

Price: $33.76 million

Country of Origin: Iran

Year Created: 17th century

Owner: Anonymous Auction House

Leonardo da Vinci's Codex Leicester is a collection of diverse works by the legendary artist, created as preliminary sketches for future works to be published. It is a complex and fascinating reflection on a subject that captivated Leonardo throughout much of his career: water. The manuscript, bound in leather, contains 36 sheets measuring 29×22 cm. Unlike a simple linear script, it combines observations and theories on subjects such as astronomy, the nature of water, rocks and fossils, air, and celestial light. The Codex includes 18 folded sheets, each written on both sides, forming a complete document of 72 pages.

The Codex was named after Thomas Coke, who purchased it in 1717 and later became the Earl of Leicester. The manuscript holds the record as the fifth most expensive book ever sold: it was acquired by Bill Gates at a Christie's auction on November 11, 1994, in New York for $30,802,500. The Codex offers a glimpse into the inquisitive mind of the ultimate Renaissance artist, scientist, and thinker, as well as a striking example of the connection between art and science and the creativity inherent in the scientific process.

DETAILS:

Price: $30.8 million

Country of Origin: Italy

Year Created: 1510

Owner: Bill Gates

The ancient Greek bronze statue of the goddess Artemis, known as Artemis and the Stag, dates back to the early Roman or Greek period. The statue depicts Artemis, the Greek goddess associated with wildlife and hunting. As typical of the ancient world, the sculpture and its base were created using the lost-wax technique in some segments, which were then fused together using molten joints.

Reportedly, the Artemis and the Stag sculpture was discovered near St. John the Lateran Basilica in Rome. It is believed the statue once adorned the perimeter garden of one of the grand Roman villas or townhouses in the area. The sculpture was originally loaned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in January 2008 for a six-month period, but by October 2019, it was still on display there. The statue was auctioned by the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in June 2007 and sold for $28.6 million, setting a record for the highest price ever paid for a sculpture.

DETAILS:

Price: $28 million

Country of Origin: Rome

Period Created: 1st century BCE to 1st century CE

Owner: Anonymous Auction House

The Blaue Wittelsbacher is a large, natural blue diamond. Originating from the Kollur mine in India, the Wittelsbach-Graff diamond weighs 31.06 carats and boasts flawless internal clarity. The first diamonds of this cut were discovered in Vienna in the early 17th century. It belonged to the Habsburg family and was brought to Munich in 1722 as part of the dowry of Maria Amalia when she married Karl Albrecht of Bavaria. Maria Amalia later incorporated the Der Blaue Wittelsbacher into her crown when she ascended as Empress.

The Der Blaue Wittelsbacher diamond is known for its brilliant blue hue and was cataloged as part of the Wittelsbach family's royal collection. It was put up for auction by Christie's in 1931 due to financial difficulties faced by the Wittelsbach family. However, the initial attempt was unsuccessful, and it wasn't until 1951 that it found a buyer. Laurence Graff revealed in 2010 that the diamond had undergone three cuts to achieve its flawless appearance.

Due to its size, color, and clarity, the Der Blaue Wittelsbacher is often compared to the Hope Diamond. Before it was recut in 2009, it had a diameter of 24.40mm and a depth of 8.29mm. Its 82 facets are arranged unusually, with star-shaped facets on the crown divided vertically, and 16 needle-like facets arranged in pairs on the base of the diamond. It is regarded as one of the oldest known diamonds.

DETAILS:

Price: $23.4 million

Country of Origin: India

Year Created: Mid-1600s

Owner: Laurence Graff

The Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication, often dubbed the “Mona Lisa of watches,” is considered the pinnacle of watchmaking craftsmanship. It is regarded by many as the most intricate pocket watch ever created by human hands, without the aid of computers. Crafted in 18-karat gold, the watch boasts 24 different functions and was assembled by Patek Philippe. Named after its owner, banker Henry Graves Jr., it was commissioned in an effort to surpass the Grande Complication pocket watch created by American automobile magnate James Ward Packard.

It took three years to design and another five years to complete the watch. It was delivered to Graves on January 19, 1933. The Supercomplication remained the most complicated mechanical timepiece in the world for over 50 years, featuring a total of 24 different functions. It was auctioned at Sotheby’s Geneva on November 11, where it sold for $24 million, nearly double the previous record of $11 million set in 1999. The Supercomplication was created over five years under the supervision of Graves, with its initial work starting in 1925 and finishing in 1932.

Among its 24 incredible features, the watch includes a precise perpetual calendar until the year 2100, a moon phase display, astronomical time, equation of time, power reserve, and indicators for sunrise and sunset, all showcasing the remarkable technical and artistic complexity of the Henry Graves Supercomplication. At the Sotheby’s Geneva auction on November 11, 2014, the Patek Philippe Supercomplication pocket watch was sold for a record-breaking $24 million.

DETAILS:

Price: $24 million

Country of Origin: Switzerland

Year Created: 1932

Owner: Anonymous Auction House

Made from African elephant ivory, this Olyphant Battle Horn is intricately decorated with designs of various birds and animals, some of which are shown chasing or attacking each other. One image features a soldier clad in Norman armor battling a lion, carved directly into the ivory. This depiction of animal and human conflict embodies strength and aggression, reflecting the martial spirit of the time. The oliphant, an ancient type of horn, was commonly used by the Norman nobility for hunting and battle. The term 'oliphant' comes from the Old French word for elephant, which was used to describe the large horns made from elephant tusks, as well as those crafted from cow, wild cattle, or European bison during the medieval period.

This particular Olyphant Battle Horn is one of only about 80 examples still in existence today, and it is one of just six that remain decorated in this fashion, a unique representation of the ancient art of horn carving. The term 'oliphant' is famously referenced in the 12th-century epic, The Song of Roland, where Roland, fighting Arabs in Spain during the Battle of Roncevaux in 778, blows his horn with great intensity to honor Charlemagne, his benefactor. The most famous oliphant in history is the one described in this epic poem.

DETAILS:

Price: $16.1 million

Country of Origin: England

Year Created: 1620

Owner: Aga Khan Museum

Originally discovered in the Kollur Mine in the Guntur region of India, the Hope Diamond weighs 45.52 carats and was unearthed in the 17th century. This striking blue diamond, which owes its color to trace amounts of boron, is renowned as one of the most expensive gemstones in history, fetching an incredible $350 million when sold. The extraordinary size of this gem has also provided new insights into how diamonds form. As a member of the Golconda diamond family, the Hope Diamond is one of the most famous gemstones in the world. The French traveler Jean Baptiste Tavernier was the first to acquire it, and it was subsequently named the Hope Diamond.

The Hope Diamond is uniquely cut into a triangular shape, and Tavernier described its color as “magnificent violet.” The gem is surrounded by 16 pear-shaped white diamonds, which form a stunning setting on the pendant. Additional stones, such as the McLean Diamond and the Star of the East, were often suspended alongside it. The deep blue hue of the Hope Diamond has been widely documented and is famously known as the “French Blue Diamond” or the “Crown Blue Diamond” in royal archives.

DETAILS:

Price: $350 million

Country of Origin: India

Year Discovered: 17th Century

Current Owner: Smithsonian Institution

This vase is renowned for its exquisite design and purity, featuring intricate patterns of fish and flowers. The Pinner Qing Dynasty Vase is a delicate piece of Chinese porcelain, adorned with golden accents and royal seals, believed to have been crafted for Emperor Qianlong during the height of the Qing Dynasty, between 1736 and 1795. The vase, dating back to the reign of Emperor Qianlong, represents the peak of Qing porcelain craftsmanship. It is also one of the most valuable artifacts ever sold at auction.

The Pinner Qing Dynasty Vase stands as a testament to the flourishing porcelain industry in China during this period. Its royal seal indicates that it was likely commissioned by Emperor Qianlong at the end of the 18th century, a time when Chinese porcelain reached new heights. Made for the emperor's personal collection and bearing the royal insignia, experts consider this vase an exceptional work of art. It is believed that the vase left China around 1860 and was acquired by a British family in the 1930s, though the exact journey it took to reach Pinner remains a mystery.

DETAILS:

Price: $85.9 million

Country of Origin: China

Year Created: 1735

Current Owner: Purchased by an auction house in China on behalf of an anonymous buyer

The Ru Guanyao Brush Washer, originating from China’s Song Dynasty (960-1279), has somehow survived in pristine condition for nearly 900 years. Widely regarded as one of the most iconic pieces in the history of Chinese ceramics, this brush washer set a new record by selling for $37.7 million—well above its estimated $13 million value—breaking the previous record of $36.05 million set in 2014 by a Ming Dynasty chicken cup. The washer's celadon glaze serves as a classic example of China’s sophisticated decorative artistry. The fragile and rare piece became the highest-priced Chinese ceramic ever sold.

In ancient China, the Ru Guanyao Brush Washer was used to clean brushes used in calligraphy and painting. This particular piece is a rare example of Ru ware, a celebrated type of Chinese porcelain. It has a 5-inch diameter and is characterized by its striking blue-green glaze and crackled pattern. Multiple layers of glaze were applied to the rim, creating a deep, lustrous finish. The washer also features three small indents, known as “sesame seeds,” which were used to secure it on the kiln during firing.

DETAILS:

Price: $37.68 million

Country of Origin: China

Year Created: 1279

Current Owner: Anonymous auction house buyer