“Nothing will teach you more about perceived value than taking something with literally no value and selling it in the auction format. It teaches you the beauty and power of presentation, and how you can make magic out of nothing."
Sophia Amoruso
Having costly belongings and antiquities is a luxurious mode and appetizing desire of millionaires and this increasing extravagance has made auctions very common. From the bronze sculptures to the locks of hair, people spend loads of dollars and the list most expensive items sold at auction is rapidly growing. Admitting the impact of auctions on lavishing market, 10 most expensive auction items are imparted for our readers.
1. Pink Star
The largest known diamond rated vivid Pink color, weighing 59.60 carat (11.92 g), the Pink Star, formerly known as the Steinmetz Pink rated as Fancy Vivid Pink by the Gemological Institute of America in color. It was digged up by De Beers in 1999 in South Africa, roughly weighting 132.5 carat. As a consequence of its size the Steinmetz Group spent 20 months with quite vigilance to cut it. It was made public in Monaco on 29 May 2003 in a public ceremony. The Pink Star was auctioned in Hong Kong for $ 71.2 Million on 3 April 2017. It is purchased by Chow Tai Fook Enterprises.
2. L'Homme au Doigt
L'Homme au doigt (Pointing Man or Man Pointing) created by Alberto Giacometti, a Swiss sculptor happened to be the most expensive sculpture sold for US$141.3 million on 11 May 2015. This Bronze sculpture stands some 70 inches high. Christie's called it a "rare masterpiece", and "Giacometti’s most iconic and evocative sculpture".
3. Qianlong Vase
The Qianlong Vase is a Chinese vase sold at Auction House of Bainbridge’s for $53 Million. This most expensive Chinese vase is known to be of 18th century origin, during the reign of the fourth emperor in the Qing dynasty in the year 1740. Qianlong Vase is about 16 inches tall and is decorated with the engravings of fish. This ovoid shape, pale yellow and sky-blue colored with narrow neck is said to be fascinated fairly a lengthy bidding process, where in involved customers offered for this Chinese ceramic for nearly 30 minutes.
4. Badminton Cabinet
The Badminton cabinet set the record of most expensive piece of furniture twice. It is a colossal piece of 18th century furniture custom-built by Henry Somerset, 3rd Duke of Beaufort, at the age of 19. This 12 feet tall cabinet took thirty experts and took six years to complete. It is finally cut, polished and decorated with colored stones including amethyst, quartz, chalcedony, jasper, lapis lazuli, agate. This Badminton Cabinet made a world record of being the most expensive piece of furniture in the world in 1990 and when auctioned again in December 2004 at Christie’s for $36 Million.
5. Codex Leicester ‘Codex Hammer’
A compilation of legendary scientific writings and theories by Leonardo da Vinci, the Codex Leicester or the Codex Hammer is named after Thomas Coke, later created Earl of Leicester, who purchased it in 1719. It became the world’s most expensive manuscript. The Codex is known to be the most famous of the Leonardo’s 30 scientific journals. The Codex Leicester was purchased by the Microsoft co-founder, Bill gates in $30.8 Million at Christie's auction house on 11 November 1994.
6. ‘Dragon’ Armchair
The Dragon Armchair is considerably the most delicate pieces of comfort classic furniture. It was Designed and crafted by an Irish architect Eileen Gray between 1917 and 1919. This armchair was auctioned by Christie’s in Pairs for $29 Million and was purchased by Suzanne Talbot who was one of the most dedicated clients of the artist. This 24 inches high Dragon Armchair is decorated with the figures of dragons on its arms.
7. 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
Considered as the to be the most expensive race car ever sold at RM Auctions, 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, was auctioned off for $12 Million in 2009. A dazzling sports car of Italian sports car manufacturer was displayed at the ‘Ferrari Leggenda e Passione’ event in Maranello, Italy. This magnificent traditional Ferrari sports car is one of the only 21 surviving models and features a Tipo 128LM V12 engine. It has four speed manual transmission. This amazing arrangement made possible for the 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa to reach a maximum speed of 161mph. it runs from 0 to 60 mph in just six seconds. This fastidious 250 Testa Rossa is called as one of the greatest competitive Ferraris.
8. Birds of America
Written by John James Audubon who was a natural scientist and painter, The Birds of America contains images of diverse birds of the United States. This book is considered to be the most expensive book. It was first published in Edinburgh and London between 1827 and 1838. With only 118 copies remained, 108 copies are possessed by museums and libraries, this book was made from carved plates of 39 by 26 inches, in black & white by Audubon and later on was hand colored. It made the book one of the most invaluable books of the present time. The Birds of America was auctioned at Sotheby’s for $10 million.
9. Mark McGwire’s 70th Home-Run Baseball
Sold at Guernsey’s auction for $3 million, the 70th home run baseball of Mark David McGwire created a world record in 1998. This baseball of the greatly venerated baseball player, Mark David McGwire, became the most expensive sports memorabilia. It was purchased by Todd McFarlane who is said to have spent all his life savings to obtain this famous ball, who made it the crown of his collection already having nine exclusive balls from Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire.
10. Most Expensive Lock of Hair
The American singer and actor, Elvis Presley is considered as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, and oftently submitted as the "King of Rock and Roll". Apart from his touching voice Presley was known for his hair. So it’s not astonishing that some strands from his hair were secretly collected by his personal barber. In 2002, a small jar filled with Elvis Presley memorabilia was sold for $115,000.
