The World’s Most Expensive Antiques Sold in Auction

Pablo Picasso

As time goes by, certain antique items are known to increase significantly in their value. Some of the factors that cause this include the rarity of the item, the historical relevance of the item, the elegance associated with the piece etc. Some people purchase these items as an investment for the future, with high hopes of securing huge profits later. Items made of ivory, ancient armors, paintings, luxury watches for women, costumes worn by famous personalities, rare books etc. are known to fetch a good fortune. Let us look at some of the most expensive antiques ever sold at auctions.

Pablo Picasso’s Nude, Green Leaves and Bust – $106.5 million

Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso is one of the most respected painters who lived on the planet. Exactly like the luxury watches for women that enhance the elegance of beautiful women, Picasso’s paintings adorn and enhance the famous museums in many countries. There are some private collectors who will spend any amount of money to own an authentic Picasso. In a similar manner, a woman who knows her true worth would never think twice about paying for the best luxury watches for women available in the market. On 4th May 2010, one art collector spent a fortune on Pablo Picasso’s Nude, Green Leaves and Bust. It was sold for $106.5 million at a Christie’s auction in just less than eight minutes of time. This 1932 painting depicts Picasso’s lover Marie-Therese Walter.

Alberto Giacometti’s L’Homme qui Marche I (Walking Man I) – $104.3 million

Alberto GiacomettisL’Homme qui marche I (Walking Man I) is the second highest price winning antique auction item ever. At the time of the Sotheby’s auction in London, this sculpture created by the Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti became the highest price winning antique art item ever. This record was later broken by Pablo Picasso’s Nude, Green Leaves and Bust.

According to artists familiar with the life sized bronze sculpture, this 1961 creation is one of the most noteworthy creations from Giacometti. It’s extremely rare and iconic status helped it to fetch such a high price. In a similar manner, the fineness of the artistry behind luxury watches for women help it to retain their prices at a high level.

Pablo Picasso’s Garcon à la Pipe (Boy with a Pipe) – $104 million

Pablo Picasso holds the record for the highest priced antique item ever sold at an auction anywhere in the world. Again, he is holding the third place for another painting named Garcon à la Pipe (Boy with a Pipe) which fetched $104 million at the auction. This was the first time a painting crossed the $100 million mark. The painting is also known as the Young Apprentice and was auctioned off at New York in a Sotheby’s auction. A boy who frequented Picasso’s studio is the character in the painting.

Pinner Qing Dynasty Vase -$84 million

Pinner Qing VaseCan you think of a Chinese made item that can fetch you $84 million? If you think all Chinese made items are of poor quality, you have to rethink the notion. The Pinner Qing Dynasty Vase was made around the year 1740 and was made in China. It depicts the artistry of the times without fail. At Bainbridge’s auction, it was sold for a whopping $84 million!

Under wrong price estimation, antique pieces like luxury watches for women can end up sold for very low prices. Initially, the Pinner Qing Dynasty Vase was wrongly estimated to fetch a value of only $1300. Later, someone identified its authenticity and the price went up all the way to its eventual sale price. The final tag of $84 million was a huge jump from the initial assessment of $1300. The sale happened in November 2010 and the vase ended up as the fourth highest priced antique auction item ever. The double walled construction of the vase is its most noteworthy feature.