Top 5 Most Expensive Things Sold In The World
The art world is no stranger to high-priced sales, and these top 5 most expensive things sold are no exception. Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi Painting, which depicts Jesus Christ as the savior of the world, sold for a record-breaking $450 million in 2017. Paul Cézanne's The Card Players, a series of five paintings depicting men playing cards, sold for $250 million in 2011. Villa Les Cèdres, a luxurious mansion located on the French Riviera, sold for $200 million in 2019. The Pink Star, a vivid pink diamond weighing 59.6 carats, sold for $83 million in 2017. Finally, the Song Dynasty Bowl, a rare porcelain bowl from the 10th or 11th century, sold for $35.2 million in 2017. These sales demonstrate the immense value placed on rare and exceptional works of art, jewelry, and real estate
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1. Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi Painting
Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi painting is a masterpiece that has captured the attention of the art world for centuries. This painting depicts Jesus Christ holding a crystal orb in his left hand while giving a benediction with his right hand. It is believed to have been painted around 1500 and is one of the few surviving works of da Vinci. Salvator Mundi has been the subject of much debate and speculation over the years, with some even calling it the most expensive painting in the world. Let us delve deeper into the history and significance of this iconic painting.
Leonardo da Vinci is widely regarded as one of the greatest artists of all time. He was a true polymath, excelling in various fields such as painting, sculpture, engineering, and science. Salvator Mundi was believed to have been painted around 1500, during da Vinci's time in Milan. The painting is thought to have been commissioned by Louis XII of France to be gifted to his wife, Anne of Brittany.
After passing through several owners over the years, Salvator Mundi ended up in the hands of Sir Francis Cook, a wealthy art collector, in the 19th century. It was then sold at an auction in 1958 for just £45 ($125) to a dealer named Sir Frederick Cook. The painting's value remained unknown until it resurfaced in 2005 and was purchased by a consortium of dealers, including Alexander Parish, for less than $10,000.
In 2011, Salvator Mundi was authenticated as an original work of Leonardo da Vinci by a group of experts led by Martin Kemp, a professor of art history at the University of Oxford. The painting was then sold to a Swiss art dealer, Yves Bouvier, for $80 million in 2013. Bouvier then sold it to Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev for $127.5 million in 2014.
In 2017, Salvator Mundi was sold at auction by Christie's in New York for a record-breaking $450.3 million, making it the most expensive painting ever sold at auction. The buyer was later revealed to be Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, who reportedly intended to display the painting at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Salvator Mundi is a significant work of art for several reasons. First and foremost, it is one of the few surviving works of Leonardo da Vinci, who is widely regarded as a master of the Renaissance period. The painting showcases da Vinci's exceptional skill at capturing human anatomy and expression, as well as his mastery of light and shadow.
The painting's subject matter is also significant. Salvator Mundi depicts Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world, holding a crystal orb that represents the universe. His right hand is raised in a benediction, symbolizing his divine authority. The painting is a powerful representation of the Christian faith and has been revered by many as a sacred object.
Salvator Mundi's sale at auction for $450.3 million in 2017 also attracted controversy and speculation. Some critics argued that the painting's authenticity was still in question, while others questioned the astronomical price tag. Despite the controversy, Salvator Mundi remains a valuable and important work of art that continues to captivate and inspire people around the world.
2. Paul Cézanne's The Card Players
Paul Cézanne's The Card Players is one of the most significant paintings of the 19th century and an icon of post-impressionist art. This masterpiece was created between 1890 and 1892 and is considered to be one of the artist's greatest achievements. The painting depicts two French peasants playing cards and is part of a series of five paintings that Cézanne produced on the same subject.
The Card Players is an oil painting on canvas, measuring 97 cm × 130.2 cm (38.2 in × 51.3 in). It is a simple yet powerful composition, with the two figures sitting across from each other at a table, absorbed in their game. Cézanne's use of muted colors, thick brushstrokes, and geometric shapes gives the painting a sense of solidity and permanence.
In 2011, The Card Players was sold for a staggering $250 million, making it the second most expensive painting ever sold at the time. The buyer was the Qatari royal family, who have since kept the painting out of public view.
The history of The Card Players is as fascinating as the painting itself. Cézanne created the series of five paintings during the last decade of his life when he was living in Aix-en-Provence, France. The artist was known for his meticulous attention to detail, and he spent many hours studying the way the light fell on the subjects and the objects in the scene. He was also known for his use of repeated motifs, such as the blue and white tablecloth and the pipe that appears in several of the paintings.
The Card Players was first owned by the French art dealer Ambroise Vollard, who bought it directly from the artist in 1895. After Vollard's death in 1939, the painting passed through several hands before being acquired by the Greek shipping magnate George Embiricos in 1952. Embiricos kept the painting in his private collection until his death in 1978, when it was sold to the Royal Family of Qatar.
The sale of The Card Players for $250 million in 2011 was a landmark moment in the art world. It cemented the painting's status as one of the most important works of art ever created and highlighted the growing influence of wealthy buyers from the Middle East on the global art market.
Despite being out of public view, The Card Players remains a powerful symbol of Cézanne's contribution to the development of modern art. The painting is a testament to the artist's mastery of color, form, and composition and a reminder of his influence on generations of artists who followed in his footsteps.
3. Villa Les Cèdres
The Villa Les Cèdres, located in the picturesque town of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat in the south of France, is a stunning 18,000 square foot mansion that has recently become one of the world's most expensive properties sold. The villa was purchased by an undisclosed buyer in 2019 for a staggering 200 million euros, making it the third most expensive thing ever sold, after a painting by Leonardo da Vinci and a yacht owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.
The Villa Les Cèdres is a true masterpiece of architecture, set in a 35-acre botanical garden, surrounded by ancient cedar trees, and overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Originally built in 1830, the villa was once owned by the mayor of Villefranche-sur-Mer, and then by the Belgian King Leopold II, who turned it into a luxurious summer residence. The villa has been renovated and expanded over the years, with the latest renovation in the early 2000s by the Italian designer Ezio Riva.
The villa has 14 bedrooms, 15 bathrooms, a ballroom, a library, a movie theater, a wine cellar, and even a chapel. The interior is decorated with exquisite antiques, paintings, and sculptures, creating an atmosphere of luxury and sophistication. The villa also features several outdoor terraces and swimming pools, a helipad, and a staff house.
Apart from its impressive architecture and design, the Villa Les Cèdres is also known for its history and the famous people who have stayed there over the years. The villa has been visited by royalty, heads of state, and celebrities, including Winston Churchill, Elizabeth Taylor, and Richard Burton. The villa's botanical garden is also home to rare and exotic plants, making it a popular destination for botanists and nature lovers.
The sale of the Villa Les Cèdres has sparked a lot of interest and speculation in the real estate market. Some experts believe that the sale represents a new trend in luxury real estate, with buyers increasingly looking for properties that offer privacy, security, and a unique lifestyle experience. Others see the sale as a sign of the growing gap between the rich and the poor, and the increasing concentration of wealth in the hands of a few individuals.
Regardless of the reasons behind the sale, the Villa Les Cèdres remains a symbol of luxury and extravagance, a place where the rich and famous can escape the pressures of everyday life and indulge in the finer things. For those who can afford it, the Villa Les Cèdres offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of history and live like a king or queen.
4. Pink Star
In the world of luxury goods, diamonds hold a special place. They are known for their beauty, rarity, and value, and are often associated with status, wealth, and power. And among diamonds, some stand out even more than others. One such diamond is the Pink Star, a stunning 59.60-carat pink diamond that is the fourth most expensive thing ever sold at auction.
The Pink Star diamond was mined in 1999 in South Africa by De Beers, the world's largest diamond mining company. It was originally a 132.50-carat rough diamond that took more than 20 months to cut and polish into its current oval shape. The process of cutting and polishing such a large and valuable diamond is highly specialized and requires great skill and expertise.
Once the Pink Star diamond was ready for sale, it was auctioned by Sotheby's in 2013 in Geneva, Switzerland. The diamond was expected to fetch between $60 million and $80 million, but it far exceeded those expectations, selling for a staggering $83 million, making it the most expensive.
The buyer of the Pink Star diamond was the Hong Kong-based jewelry company Chow Tai Fook, which renamed the diamond the "CTF Pink Star" and mounted it in a ring. The diamond has since been displayed in various locations, including at the Hong Kong International Jewelry Show and the Shanghai Diamond Exchange.
What makes the Pink Star diamond so valuable is its rarity, beauty, and size. Pink diamonds are extremely rare, accounting for only 0.1% of all diamonds mined worldwide. And among pink diamonds, the Pink Star diamond is one of the largest and most flawless. Its vibrant pink color is also highly prized, as it is a natural and untreated color, not artificially enhanced.
The Pink Star diamond has joined the ranks of other highly valuable items, including a $450 million painting by Leonardo da Vinci, a $300 million yacht, and a $250 million mansion. But unlike these other items, the Pink Star diamond is highly portable and can be easily transported from one location to another. This makes it a highly desirable investment for collectors and investors alike.
While the Pink Star diamond may seem like an extravagance, it is a testament to the enduring allure of diamonds and the value that people place on rare and beautiful objects. It is a reminder that even in a world where so much is disposable and temporary, some things endure, and their value only increases over time.
5.Song Dynasty Bowl
In the world of art and antiques, there are few things as coveted as rare and valuable porcelain pieces. Among the most renowned and sought-after of these are the bowls and vases of the Song Dynasty, which ruled China from the 10th to the 13th centuries.
One particular Song Dynasty bowl stands out, however, as it is considered the fifth most expensive thing ever sold. This bowl, known as the "Ding Bowl," was created during the Northern Song Dynasty, which lasted from 960 to 1127. It was later sold for an astounding $35.2 million in 2013 at a Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong.
The Ding Bowl is named after the Ding kiln in Hebei province, where it was made. The bowl measures 13 centimeters in diameter and is crafted from a delicate ivory-colored porcelain. The bowl is decorated with a simple yet elegant floral design, featuring a peony blossom in the center surrounded by lotus petals.
What sets the Ding Bowl apart from other Song Dynasty bowls is its exceptional condition. Unlike many porcelain pieces from this time period, which have been chipped or damaged over the centuries, the Ding Bowl is in almost perfect condition. It has only a few small blemishes on the exterior, which is impressive given that it is over 900 years old.
The history of the Ding Bowl is somewhat mysterious. It is believed to have been created during the 12th century and was likely used in a palace or temple. Over time, it may have been passed down through generations of collectors and wealthy families before eventually finding its way to a private collection in the UK.
In the early 20th century, the Ding Bowl was purchased by a British collector named Sir Michael Butler. Butler kept the bowl in his family's collection for several decades before it was sold at auction in 2013 to an anonymous bidder.
The sale of the Ding Bowl for $35.2 million was a historic moment in the world of art and antiques. It was the fifth most expensive item ever sold at auction, and it set a new record for a Song Dynasty porcelain piece. The buyer remains unknown, but it is believed to be a wealthy collector from China or another Asian country.
The sale of the Ding Bowl highlights the enduring appeal of Chinese porcelain and the continuing fascination with the art and craftsmanship of the Song Dynasty. As one of the few surviving examples of this ancient art form, the Ding Bowl is a rare and valuable treasure, and its sale will be remembered as a significant moment in the history of art and antiques.
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