A home, however beautiful, is never complete without furniture. Good quality furniture can cost quite a lot, and specific pieces of luxury furniture can be costly. But if you have ever wondered how expensive a piece of furniture could get, here’s a list of the world’s top 5 most expensive pieces of furniture in 2024.
1. The Badminton Chest $36.7 Million
The most expensive piece of furniture, this badminton cabinet features amethyst quartz, apart from other precious stones. This masterpiece was created by thirty designers and the process took them six years. In 1726, Henry Somerset, the 3rd Duke of Beaufort, commissioned the creation of a magnificent ebony cabinet at the tender age of 19. The cabinet, now famously known as the Badminton Cabinet, was meticulously crafted. It derived its name from the Duke’s country estate, Badminton House, located in Gloucestershire, England.
2. The Dragons Chair $27.8 Million
Designed by Irish designer Eileen Gray, The Dragon’s Chair was created between 1917 to 1919. The chair is a wooden upholstered armchair featuring two stylized lacquered dragons. The chair’s intricate dragon imagery and cloud motifs bear a striking resemblance to the iconic elements often seen in traditional Chinese art. The beautifully carved armrests, with their flowing design, have drawn comparisons to a “sea monster,” which led to the chair being affectionately referred to as the “Dragons” chair.
3. The Wooton Desk $12.1 Million
The Wooton Desk, known as the “King of Desks,” was designed in the late 19th century by William S. Wooton. Renowned for its complex design, it features numerous compartments, drawers, and pigeonholes, all hidden behind beautifully carved doors. This desk was a favourite among business magnates and politicians of its time. A scarce and well-preserved version of this desk was auctioned for $12.1 million, making it one of the most expensive pieces of antique furniture ever sold.
4. Antique Secretary Desk $11.4 Million
This Goddard and Townsend desk was made during the 1760s. Only nine of this antique secretary desk was ever made, making it a rare and expensive piece of furniture. It was in 1989 that one of the desks got sold at Christie’s for a price tag of US$ 11.4 million and was then the most expensive American piece of furniture to have ever been sold.
5. The Malachite Casket $10 Million
The Malachite Casket is an extraordinary example of Russian craftsmanship from the 18th century. Created from malachite, a striking green mineral, the casket is adorned with gold accents and intricate carvings. A Russian noble family commissioned this luxurious piece, and it has been passed down through generations. It was sold at auction for approximately $10 million, making it one of the world’s most expensive caskets and pieces of furniture.
