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What are the most expensive pieces of furniture ever sold at auction?

Idella Rosling

Well, well, well, my fellow furniture enthusiasts! Are you ready to hear about the most expensive pieces of furniture that have ever been sold at auction? I mean, we're not just talking about any old rocking chair or footstool here. We're talking about the big guns. The crème de la crème. The pieces of furniture that are worth more than your house (sorry, not sorry).

First up, we have the Badminton Cabinet. Now, this ain't your average IKEA cabinet, folks. No, sir. This piece of furniture is a masterpiece that was crafted in Florence, Italy in the early 18th century. It was made from ebony, amethysts, and agates, and it's adorned with gold and semi-precious stones. In 2004, it was sold at auction for a whopping $36 million. You heard that right. $36 MILLION. I mean, I can't even imagine what kind of treasures I would store in a cabinet that expensive. Probably just my collection of cat mugs and old concert tickets.

Next on our list is the Pinner Qing Dynasty Vase. Now, I know what you're thinking. "A vase? How can a vase be worth millions of dollars?" But hear me out. This particular vase is a work of art. It's from the Qing Dynasty in China, and it's made from porcelain and decorated with pastel-colored paintings of flowers and birds. It's truly a beautiful piece. In 2010, a Chinese collector bought it at auction for $80 million. That's enough money to buy a small island. Or, you know, a lifetime supply of avocado toast.

Last but not least, we have the Chippendale Commode. No, no, no, not a toilet. A commode is actually a type of chest of drawers that was popular in the 18th century. This particular commode was made by Thomas Chippendale himself (you know, that guy who wrote the book on furniture design), and it's crafted from mahogany and decorated with exquisite carvings of flowers, swags, and shells. In 2004 (a big year for expensive furniture, apparently), it was auctioned off for $5.7 million. That's a lot of money for a place to store your socks and underwear.

So, there you have it, folks. That's just a taste of the most expensive pieces of furniture ever sold at auction. I mean, I don't know about you, but I think I'll stick to my cheap IKEA bookshelves for now. Maybe one day I'll be able to afford a Badminton Cabinet of my own. Until then, I'll just have to settle for admiring them from afar (and praying my cat doesn't scratch up my bookshelves too much).