Most Expensive Artworks and Collectibles Sold at Auction
Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi set the record for the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction when it fetched 450.3 million USD at Christie's New York in November 2017, according to Christie's official sale records. The painting, bought by a consortium linked to Saudi Arabia's Prince Badr bin Abdullah, remains the highest-priced artwork in auction history.
In the contemporary art market, Jean-Michel Basquiat's Untitled (1982) sold for 110.5 million USD at Sotheby's New York in May 2017, making it one of the most expensive modern artworks ever auctioned. High-value sales at houses like Christie's and Sotheby's are often driven by global collectors and investment funds seeking blue-chip assets.
Key Auction Houses and Record Sales
Christie's and Sotheby's dominate the high-end auction market, regularly hosting sales that break price records for paintings, sculptures, and rare collectibles. In recent years, private sales and museum deaccessions have complemented auction results, but public auctions remain the primary benchmark for art price discovery.
Other major players include Phillips and Bonhams, which have achieved notable results with contemporary and modern art. These houses publish detailed sale results and market analyses, providing transparent data on the most expensive items sold at auction across different categories and regions.
Most Expensive Cars and Vehicles Sold at Auction
The most expensive car ever sold at auction is a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, which changed hands for 48.4 million USD at RM Sotheby's during the Monterey Car Week in August 2018. The sale set a new benchmark for collector cars and highlighted the premium placed on rare, race-winning Ferraris.
Other record-setting vehicles include a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, which sold for 135 million EUR in May 2022 at a private auction organized by RM Sotheby's, with proceeds directed to the Mercedes-Benz Fund. This sale is widely cited as the most expensive car transaction in history, though it was technically a private auction rather than a public sale.
Top Auction Platforms for Luxury and Collector Cars
RM Sotheby's, Bonhams, and Gooding & Company specialize in high-value automotive auctions, attracting serious collectors and investors. These platforms provide detailed provenance, condition reports, and historical records that support record prices for rare and iconic vehicles.
Online platforms have expanded access to luxury car auctions, allowing bidders worldwide to participate in major sales. Major auction events in Monterey, Pebble Beach, and Goodwood regularly feature some of the most expensive vehicles ever offered for public sale.
Most Expensive Watches, Jewelry, and Other Luxury Items
Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 became the most expensive watch ever sold at auction when it realized 31 million USD at Christie's Geneva in November 2019. The timepiece, manufactured specifically for the Only Watch charity auction, set a new benchmark for horological collectibles.
In the jewelry segment, the Pink Star diamond sold for 71.2 million USD at Sotheby's Hong Kong in April 2017, making it the most expensive gemstone ever auctioned. The 59.60-carat internally flawless pink diamond was purchased by a Hong Kong jeweler and later recut, reinforcing the role of major auction houses in high-value luxury transactions.