Buzz
Many of us are likely aware that some individuals are willing to drop thousands of dollars on the most bizarre items. However, these particular possessions stand out—each one associated with hauntings, curses, or notorious deaths and events. Some of them are just downright unnerving to look at.
It's hard to understand why anyone would spend such large sums of money on objects others would gladly dispose of, but the backstories behind these purchases are certainly captivating. These 10 spine-chilling items are valued far beyond what any reasonable person would consider paying.
10. The Blood-Soaked Cursed Painting
The story of the oil painting known as The Anguished Man first came to light through a tale from Northern England. Sean Robinson shared that his grandmother had stored this painting in her attic for 25 years, and during that time, she reported numerous paranormal occurrences in her home.
She claimed to have seen a dark figure of a man and heard eerie sounds, including crying. Additionally, she believed that the artist had taken his own life and used his blood mixed with the oils in the painting.
After his grandmother's passing, Sean inherited the painting. It remained in his basement until unsettling events began to occur—similar strange noises and crying that his grandmother had heard. She had warned him about the evil nature of the painting, but neither Sean nor his family were prepared for the full extent of its power.
While it was once available for purchase at a steep price of £1,500, the painting is reportedly no longer on sale.
9. Doll Haunted by the Soul of a 20-Year-Old Woman
This eerie doll was discovered on eBay, of all places. The seller claimed it is haunted by the spirit of a 20-year-old woman named Diana. The doll shares her name. Although the seller suggests that the paranormal experiences are mostly for fun and may not affect everyone in the same way, it's still undeniably creepy—and quite pricey as well.
According to the seller, the doll has been responsible for numerous strange occurrences, including neighbors spotting “phantom children” and swings swaying by themselves. Allegedly, Diana has a particular fondness for feminine accessories and products.
While this evidence is mostly anecdotal, it would take a lot of courage to buy this—or any unsettling porcelain doll, for that matter. At a price of $1,250, the temptation might not be as strong.
8. 1:1 Annabelle Replica
Here’s another find from eBay. Although this incredibly detailed—and pricey—replica is claimed to have no paranormal attributes, it is based on The Conjuring and Annabelle films, which were inspired by the real-life experiences of Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Warrens were demonologists who dealt with the actual Annabelle doll.
While the real Annabelle looks quite different from this prop or its film counterparts, it’s clear that this version carries a much more unsettling appearance. It still radiates that ominous, eerie vibe that makes you think twice about having it in your home. Considering the real doll was said to move around and is one of the most haunted objects in existence, we’d probably steer clear of this one. The nearly $2,500 price tag is an additional deterrent.
7. The Psycho Pot
A pot?
Yes, a pot—an old, metal one that once belonged to a man named Ed Gein. He was a notorious serial killer from the 1950s, known for allegedly murdering people, removing their body parts, and transforming them into clothing and furniture. This particular pot was used by Gein to store the body parts of his victims.
Ed Gein’s gruesome tale served as the inspiration for many Hollywood horror classics, including The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Silence of the Lambs. While Gein became the epitome of a psychotic killer in the eyes of filmmakers, this pot isn’t a movie replica or prop.
It’s the real deal, purchased by Zak Bagans from Ghost Adventures. He thought it would be an intriguing piece to display in his home and happily paid $2,800 for it from a woman who had once used it as a flower pot. Whether he regrets his possibly haunted acquisition remains to be seen.
6. The Black Orlov Diamond
One of the priciest items on our list, the Black Orlov diamond sold for a staggering $352,000 the last time it was auctioned in 2006. Its estimated value has been steadily climbing, and today, it could be worth as much as $1 million. Although the diamond’s curse is thought to have been broken, its dark and twisted history is far from forgotten.
Hailing from India, the Black Orlov diamond is believed to have originally been one of the eyes of a statue of Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. After being stolen from its rightful place, the diamond became infamous for being connected to the mysterious suicides of three of its past owners.
The diamond was recut in the 1950s, which is said to have lifted its curse. Actress Felicity Huffman even wore it at the 2006 Oscars. Still, the chilling history of the Black Orlov diamond is enough to give anyone the creeps.
5. Dr. Kevorkian’s Van
Also owned by Zak Bagans, this van once belonged to the notorious Dr. Jack Kevorkian. Dubbed the “Death Bus” by some, the dilapidated 1968 Volkswagen van exudes a creepy aura. It was the place where the doctor carried out many of his assisted suicides—around 130 in total.
Bagans is definitely the type of person who would make a purchase like this. After acquiring the van, he displayed it in his paranormal-themed museum, alongside other unsettling artifacts. Clearly, he’s not shy about dropping money on creepy objects.
The van no longer starts, but Bagans is content with his acquisition. He managed to snag it for $32,500.
4. The Crying Boy Painting
Created by an Italian artist, The Crying Boy painting is a mass-produced piece of artwork with a notorious curse and eerie tales attached to it. The painting became infamous for its association with strange occurrences, such as the sounds of crying children in homes that had none, and numerous fires where it was the only item left unharmed.
Despite skepticism surrounding these stories, the painting has been reported to possess a strange substance that prevents it from burning completely. Its haunting reputation endures. With original versions of the painting fetching over $5,000, we’re even less inclined to bring The Crying Boy into our homes.
3. The Hands Resist Him
The unsettling painting, The Hands Resist Him, was created by Bill Stoneham in 1974. Although it's the most affordable item on this list, priced at $1,025, we thought it deserved a spot here due to its chilling backstory.
The eerie tale surrounding this artwork began when a young girl repeatedly told her father that the children depicted in the painting were fighting. To ease her concerns, he set up a motion-sensitive camera, only to discover that the boy in the image appeared to be crawling out of the frame.
This painting has become infamous for being linked to a variety of unsettling experiences, including reports of sickness, unease, and paranormal events such as hot air emanating from the canvas. There are even claims that viewing the original eBay listing led to eerie occurrences in people's homes, including three deaths.
2. The Basano Vase
At first glance, the Basano vase may appear to be just an antique Italian piece. But as you might have guessed from the other items, appearances can be deceiving, and this vase hides a dark secret.
Crafted from intricately carved silver, the vase is believed to have been a wedding gift given to a 15th-century Italian bride. However, what should have been a thoughtful present took a tragic turn. On the night before her wedding (or some sources say the following morning), the bride was discovered dead or dying with the vase clutched in her hands.
The vase has since been linked to a series of deaths and has passed through numerous owners. Today, it is widely regarded as cursed. In the late 1980s, the vase was sold for 4 million lire, approximately $2,500 at the time. Its value would be far higher if sold today.
1. Michael Jackson’s Chair
As the name implies, this chair once belonged to Michael Jackson. It was located in his death room and was originally used by his doctor to monitor Jackson during his propofol usage. The drug, which ultimately contributed to MJ’s untimely death, is primarily used as an anesthetic.
Zak Bagans purchased the chair, and he claims it still bears traces of Michael’s makeup stains. While it’s uncertain whether the chair has caused any paranormal occurrences, owning it feels unsettling due to its dark history. Nevertheless, Bagans, who has a passion for collecting items linked to the supernatural, found the chair to be a worthwhile acquisition at approximately $15,000.
