Ever wondered what treasures might be hiding in your grandma’s attic? The world of high-end furniture holds some jaw-dropping price tags that would make even the wealthiest collectors think twice.
From royal commissions to groundbreaking designs, these pieces represent the pinnacle of craftsmanship, history, and artistic vision.
1. Badminton Cabinet
Would you believe a piece of furniture could cost more than a mansion? The Badminton Cabinet, commissioned by the 3rd Duke of Beaufort in 1726, sold for a staggering $36.7 million at Christie’s in 2004.
Thirty craftsmen spent six years creating this masterpiece of ebony, pietra dura, and gilt bronze. It remains the most expensive non-painting artwork ever sold at auction.
2. Dragon’s Chair by Eileen Gray
Fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent once owned this quirky masterpiece. The Dragon’s Chair, created by designer Eileen Gray in the early 1900s, fetched an astonishing $28.3 million at auction in 2009.
With its unique sculptural form and brown leather upholstery accented by stylized wooden dragons, this chair represents the pinnacle of Art Deco design. Only one exists in the world.
3. Florentine Pietra Dura Cabinet
Imagine owning a furniture piece that took 30 years to create! The Florentine Pietra Dura Cabinet, sold by Sotheby’s for $36.7 million in 2004, features stunning inlaid semi-precious stones forming intricate pictures.
Craftsmen in the Grand Ducal workshops of Florence labored for decades on this 17th-century masterpiece. The cabinet’s scenes depict birds, flowers, and architectural elements with breathtaking precision.
4. Antique Secretary Desk (Goddard & Townsend)
Hidden compartments and revolutionary history combine in this American treasure. Created by legendary cabinetmakers John Goddard and John Townsend in the 1760s, this Newport desk sold for $12.1 million in 1989.
The desk’s block-and-shell design showcases the pinnacle of Colonial craftsmanship. With only nine known examples in existence, these secretary desks represent America’s earliest furniture masterpieces.
5. Huanghuali Horseshoe-Back Armchairs
From the Ming Dynasty comes furniture fit for an emperor. A pair of these rare Huanghuali wood armchairs sold for $9.7 million at Christie’s in 2021, breaking records for Chinese furniture.
The horseshoe-shaped backs showcase the distinctive golden honey color of this now-extinct wood. Collectors prize these chairs for their elegant proportions and the wood’s natural luminosity when polished.
6. Huanghuali Plank-Top Pedestal Table
Simplicity reaches astronomical value in this Ming masterpiece. A Huanghuali plank-top table from the 16th century commanded $9.5 million at auction, despite its understated design.
What makes it special? The seamless joinery requires no nails or screws. The table’s minimalist aesthetic highlights the exceptional grain of this rare Chinese rosewood, which has been illegal to harvest since the species became endangered.
7. Fisher-Fox Chippendale Tea Table
Your afternoon tea could cost $8.4 million if served on this table. The Fisher-Fox Chippendale Tea Table, made in Philadelphia around 1760, set the record for American furniture when sold in 1990.
Master cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale created this mahogany marvel with a tilting top and carved ball-and-claw feet. The table’s provenance traces back to Philadelphia’s wealthy Fisher and Fox families.
8. Baldacchino Supreme Bed
Sleep like royalty—if you have $6.3 million to spare. The Baldacchino Supreme Bed, created by Stuart Hughes in 2009, claims the title of world’s most expensive modern bed.
Crafted from ash wood and chestnut, this canopied masterpiece incorporates 107 kilograms of solid gold and Italian silk. The headboard features diamonds and other precious stones, making this the ultimate luxury sleeping arrangement.
9. Tufft Table
Revolutionary War-era furniture doesn’t get fancier than this. The Tufft Table, crafted by Philadelphia cabinetmaker Thomas Tufft around 1775, fetched $4.6 million at auction.
Its distinctive pierced fretwork and ball-and-claw feet showcase the Philadelphia Chippendale style at its finest. The table’s elaborate carving includes acanthus leaves, C-scrolls, and a scalloped apron that demonstrate Tufft’s extraordinary skill.
10. Harrington Commode by Thomas Chippendale
What looks like a dresser but costs more than a mansion? The Harrington Commode, crafted by Thomas Chippendale himself, sold for $5.1 million in 2010.
This 1770s masterpiece features marquetry veneers in rosewood and tulipwood arranged in geometric patterns. Chippendale’s signature touches include gilt-bronze handles and a serpentine front that showcases his mastery of both design and execution.
11. George II Parcel-Gilt Padauk Cabinet
This George II cabinet, crafted from exotic padauk wood around 1740, commanded $3.9 million at Christie’s in 2008.
The cabinet’s distinctive reddish color comes from the rare padauk timber imported from Burma. Gilt accents highlight the carved details while the interior reveals a treasure trove of small drawers perfect for storing precious items.
12. Ruijssenaars Magnetic Floating Bed
Gravity-defying slumber comes with a hefty price tag of $1.6 million. Dutch architect Janjaap Ruijssenaars created this futuristic bed that appears to float in mid-air through the magic of opposing magnets.
The bed hovers about 16 inches above the floor, supported by thin wires for stability. Powerful permanent magnets embedded in both the floor and bed create enough repelling force to support nearly 2,000 pounds.
13. Pininfarina Aresline Xten Office Chair
Your Zoom meetings could cost $1.5 million if you’re sitting in this ultra-luxe office chair. The Pininfarina Aresline Xten, designed by the same studio behind Ferrari cars, represents the pinnacle of ergonomic luxury.
The chair features a carbon fiber frame with specially developed Technogel padding. Its Dynatec fabric adapts to your body temperature while the self-adjusting mechanism responds to your every move.
14. Marc Newson Lockheed Lounge Chair
The Lockheed Lounge Chair, designed by Marc Newson in 1986, sold for a record-breaking $3.7 million in 2015.
Made famous in Madonna’s 1993 music video for “Rain,” this aluminum masterpiece resembles a fluid, mercury-like form. Only 10 examples exist, making it one of the most sought-after pieces of contemporary furniture in the world.
15. Paul Evans Cabinet
Paul Evans’ Sculpture Front cabinet from the 1970s fetched $382,000 at auction, showcasing his unique welded metal approach to furniture design.
Evans hand-crafted each piece in his Pennsylvania workshop, creating one-of-a-kind sculptural facades. His distinctive style combines industrial materials with artistic expression, featuring torch-cut and welded bronze elements that create a dramatic, textural surface.
16. Édouard Lièvre Pagoda Cupboard
East meets West in this $2.7 million masterpiece. The Japonisme-style Pagoda Cupboard, designed by Édouard Lièvre in the 1870s, exemplifies the European fascination with Japanese aesthetics during the late 19th century.
Crafted from ebony and adorned with intricate bronze mounts of dragons and birds, this cabinet stands as a cultural bridge. The pagoda-shaped top and exquisite gilt bronze ornaments showcase exceptional French craftsmanship inspired by Asian design.
17. Claude Lalanne Ginkgo Bench
Nature transforms into furniture worth $1.4 million in Claude Lalanne’s enchanting creation. This bronze bench, shaped like delicate ginkgo leaves, represents the French artist’s signature fusion of art and functional design.
Each leaf is individually cast and assembled by hand. Lalanne, who worked alongside her husband François-Xavier until her death in 2019, created whimsical furniture pieces that blur the line between functional objects and fine art.
18. Frank Lloyd Wright Dana House Lamp
Architectural genius meets illumination in this $1.9 million lamp. Created by Frank Lloyd Wright for the Dana House in 1903, this stained-glass masterpiece exemplifies his Prairie School design philosophy.
The geometric patterns in amber, green, and clear glass create a warm, diffused light. Wright designed every element of his buildings, from architecture to furniture, believing in the concept of “total design” where all components work in harmony.
19. Skopa Chair (IKEA collectible)
Who knew IKEA could be worth thousands? The Skopa Chair, designed by Olle Gjerløv-Knudsen and Torben Lind in 1974, now fetches up to $15,000 among collectors—quite a jump from its original $10 price tag!
This plastic scoop-shaped chair on a metal base was discontinued after brief production. Its futuristic design and limited availability have transformed this once-affordable piece into a highly sought-after collector’s item representing 1970s Scandinavian design.
20. Bengt Ruda Cavelli Armchair (IKEA vintage)
Before flat-packs and Allen wrenches, IKEA created this luxurious leather masterpiece. The Cavelli Armchair, designed by Bengt Ruda in 1959, now commands up to $14,000 at auction—a far cry from its modest original price.
With its sleek lines and bentwood frame, this rare chair represents IKEA’s early high-end designs. Only about 600 were ever produced, making it one of the most elusive pieces for vintage IKEA collectors.