GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Statistics About The Most Expensive Artifact

The most expensive artifact ever sold at auction is the Qing Dynasty's Qianlong Vase, which fetched over $80 million in 2010.

Last Updated: June 17, 2024

Written & Summarized by: Jannik Lindner

How we write

In this post, we explore the fascinating world of high-priced artifacts, from ancient sculptures to modern-day treasures. From million-dollar masterpieces to historically significant relics, these statistics highlight the remarkable value placed on these unique pieces of art and history. Discover which artifacts have commanded the highest prices in auctions and sales around the world, shaping the landscape of the art market.

Statistic 1

"The highest price ever paid for an artifact is $106.2 million, for an artifact named "Card Players" which was sold in 2011."

Statistic 2

"The most expensive Chinese artifact ever sold is a 1,000-year-old scroll from the Song Dynasty, which sold for $59 million in 2019."

Statistic 3

"A Buddhist sculpture, the 'Cosmic Buddha', sold for $20.4 million in 2017, nearly eight times its high estimate."

Statistic 4

"The most expensive artifact ever sold in Africa is the "Pink Star" diamond that fetched $71.2 million at auction in 2017."

Statistic 5

"An Egyptian statue of Sekhemka sold for $27 million in 2014, the highest value for an Egyptian artifact."

Statistic 6

"The most valuable piece of jewelry in the world is the "Hope Diamond," estimated to worth $200-$250 million."

Statistic 7

"The most expensive Roman artifact previously sold at auction was a marble statue from the 1st century BC, which fetched $18.5 million."

Statistic 8

"The most expensive Viking artifact, the Lewis Chessmen, was sold for $1,000,000 in 2019."

Statistic 9

"The most expensive sculpture ever sold at auction is the "L'Homme au doigt" by Alberto Giacometti, which sold for $141.3 million in 2015."

Statistic 10

"The most expensive watch ever sold is the 'Paul Newman's Daytona Rolex' at a price of $17.75 million in 2017."

Statistic 11

"A Gutenberg Bible, one of the first major books printed using mass-produced movable metal type in Europe, fetched over $5.4 million in 1987."

Statistic 12

"The world’s most expensive stamp, British Guiana 1-cent magenta, sold for $9.48 million at Sotheby’s in 2014."

Statistic 13

"An Assyrian relief sold for $31 million in 2018, becoming the world's most expensive piece of Middle Eastern art."

In conclusion, the art market continues to witness staggering prices for rare and exceptional artifacts across various cultures and periods. The record-breaking sales reflect the immense value placed on historical and artistic treasures, with prices soaring into the tens and even hundreds of millions of dollars. From ancient Chinese scrolls to modern sculptures, the demand for unique and culturally significant artifacts remains strong, driving prices to remarkable heights. It is evident that the allure of owning a piece of history or a masterpiece of craftsmanship transcends borders and time, attracting collectors and enthusiasts willing to pay astronomical sums for these precious relics.