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This article was first published 10 years ago

World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Last updated on: August 07, 2013 12:51 IST

Image: A Christie's employee poses with Cygan, a giant robot made by Italian engineer Piero Fiorito in 1957, at Christie's in London.
Photographs: Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters

There are some things money can buy and there are some things money can’t.  But how much can one really spend on luxury? Well, if you check these luxury products, there is just no limit…these are priceless…

Luxury items including art pieces, collector's items and jewellery – such as The Rocking Horse expected to sell for $38,000-$61,000, a pet funeral set for $4,000 and a leftover slice of toast from Prince Charles’ wedding day is expected to fetch $361.

This robot (in the picture) is expected to sell for £8,000-12,000 ($12,000-18,000) when it is auctioned at the Christie's Out of the Ordinary sale.

Check out some of the world’s most expensive products…

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: Riva Lemanski, 6 poses on a giant two-storey rocking horse outside Christie's auction house in London.
Photographs: Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters

The Rocking Horse is expected to sell for £25,000-40,000 (US $38,000-61,000) when it is auctioned at the Christie's Out of the Ordinary sale on September 5,  2013.

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: Riva Lemanski 6, and her brother Elia 4, turn a Stage 1 Rolls Royce RB Titanium Turbine Fan from 1970 at Christie's in London.
Photographs: Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters

The Turbine fan  is expected to sell for £60,000-80,000 (US $92,000-133,000) when it is auctioned at the Christie's Out of the Ordinary sale on September 5.

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: A pet urn (R) decorated with crystal and a book-shaped "casket" are seen at the 2013 Taipei Pet Show at Nangang Exhibition Hall in Taipei.
Photographs: Pichi Chuang/Reuters

This pet funeral set, which includes the urn, the casket and a spot in grave garden for 25 years, is priced at NTD120,000 ($4,000), according to the pet funeral service company. The show runs from July 26 to 29. 

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: The Empire Suite at the South Beach mansion formerly owned by fashion designer Gianni Versace in Miami Beach.
Photographs: Gaston De Cardenas/Reuters

Versace spent $33 million renovating the house, which features a 54-foot mosaic pool lined with 24-karat gold, according to Fisher Auction Company. 

The mansion will be offered for sale at an auction on September 17, 2013.  

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: A Christie's employee poses with artworks by Barbara Hepworth "Curved Form" (L) and one of a pair of polychrome marble busts at Christie's auction house in London.
Photographs: Luke MacGregor/Reuters

The Hepworth has an estimated value of 1.5 million pounds Sterling ($ 2.3 million) and both form part of an exhibition "Masterpieces at Christie's" which which commences the summer auction season. 

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: Fernando Botero's "Dancers" is photographed by a passer-by as it sits in front of Christie's Auction House in New York.
Photographs: Carlo Allegri/Reuters

The sculpture is expected to fetch up to $1 million at Christie's Latin American art auction.

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: A Sotheby's employee poses with Rene Magritte's artwork "L'idee" (L) alongside Pablo Picasso's picture "Le Peitnre" at Sotheby's auction house in London.
Photographs: Luke MacGregor/Reuters

The artworks, with an estimated value 2.5 million pounds Sterling ($3.8 million) and 7 million pounds Sterling  (10.8 million U.S. Dollars) respectively, form part of an exhibition "12-21 A Millenium of Masterpieces" which will go on sale during June and July. 

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: A worker poses with the death mask of the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, at Bonhams auction house in London.
Photographs: Paul Hackett/Reuters

The mask made shortly after Napoleon's death on the island of St Helena on May 5, 1821, is estimated to sell for 40,000 - 60,000 GB pounds (U.S. $60,000 - 91,000) when auctioned on June 19. 

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: A Sotheby's employee poses with William Scott's "Permutation 3 - White" (top) and a "Late Renaissance Antique Marble Inlaid Table Top" at Sotheby's Auction House in London.
Photographs: Luke MacGregor/Reuters

The artworks, with an estimated value of 100,000 pounds Sterling ($155,000) and 1.2 million pounds Sterling ($ 1.86 million) respectively, form part of an exhibition "12-21 A Millenium of Masterpieces" which will go on sale during June and July. 

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: Turkish artist Yigit Yazici (R) fixes one of his artworks at his studio in Istanbul.
Photographs: Murad Sezer/Reuters

Turkey's modern art market is experiencing a boom, coincided with a decade of steady economic growth. Central Istanbul has seen dozens of new art galleries in just the past few years, with collectors paying millions for the hottest works at exclusive auctions.

High-end galleries are springing up by the dozen, and more and more Turkish artists are holding exhibitions abroad. 

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: Christie's specialist James Hyslop holds a pre-17th century, sub-fossilised Elephant Bird egg in London.
Photographs: Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters

The rare egg is expected to sell for 20,000-30,000 GB pounds  (U.S. $30,000-45,000) when is it auctioned in London on April 24. The extinct Elephant Bird, a native of Madagascar, was a large bird measuring around 11 feet in height. 

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: A slice of toast is seen on a plate commemorating the Royal Wedding of Britain's Prince Charles and Princess Diana, before its auction in Etwall, Derbyshire.
Photographs: Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters

A slice of toast left over from the breakfast table of Britain's Prince Charles on his wedding day to the late Princess Diana sold at auction for 230 pounds ($361).

The humble scrap was kept by a former servant of the palace as a memento of the 1981 wedding, which was watched by 750 million people worldwide.  

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: A worker poses next to a pre-production replica BMW Z8 Roadster made for the film "The World is not Enough", during a media preview of "50 Years of James Bond - the Auction", at Christie's in London September.
Photographs: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

The piece is estimated to sell for 23,400 - 32,700 GBP ($38,000-53,000) at an online-only auction from September 28 to October 8. 

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Tags: GBP , GBP

World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: House assistant Lucy Bishop poses with a Catherine Walker Mughal-inspired pink slubbed silk evening gown and bolero worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, at Kerry Taylor Auctions in London.
Photographs: Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters

The gown was worn by Diana during the state visit to India in February 1992. The gown will be auctioned in London on March 19, 2013 and is expected to earn £80,000-£120,000 pounds (US$120,211-180,311).  

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: A gallery assistant poses for photographers with British street artist Bansky's diptych work "Monkey Detonator" at Bonhams auction house in central London.
Photographs: Olivia Harris/Reuters

The piece is expected to reach between 70,000 to 100,000 pounds Sterling ($107,000 to 153,000) in an Urban Art auction.

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: A model wears a diamond necklace/bracelet by Bulgari (1954) a natural pearl and diamond pendant earrings(1962) and a diamond ring (1962) during an auction preview at Sotheby's in Geneva.
Photographs: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

Some 23 pieces of jewellery from the collection of Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida will go on sale. The diamond necklace is excepted to reach between CHF 285,000 to 470,000 (US$ 300,000 to 500,000), the earrings between CHF 565,000 to 940.000 (US$ 600,000 to 1,000,000) and the ring between CHF 375,000 to 750,000 (US $ 400,000 to 800,000). 

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: A unique white gold, perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases and leap-year, ref. 3448, manufactured by Patek Philippe in 1981 is pictured during an auction preview at Christie's in Geneva.
Photographs: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

The item is expected to sell between CHF 800,000 and 1,000,000 (US$ 850,000 and 1,500,000) when it goes into auction May 13, 2013 in Geneva.

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: Pairs of Carrie Bradshaw's shoes are displayed at Gotta Have it! auction house in New York auction house in New York.
Photographs: Brendan McDermid /Reuters

 Actress Sarah Jessica Parker has donated several pairs of her iconic 'Sex in the City' character's shoes to be put up for auction to benefit New York City's LaGuardia Arts High School. 

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: A Sotheby's worker poses next to "Wolke (Cloud)" from 1976 by Gerhard Richter, at Sotheby's in London.
Photographs: Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters

The artwork is expected to sell for 7-9 million GB pounds (US$ 11-14 million) when auctioned at Sotheby's Contemporary Art evening auction in London on February 12.  

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: An assistant displays Platform shoes owned by singer Lady Gaga at the Hotel Drouot auction house in Paris.
Photographs: Christian Hartmann/Reuters

The shoes made circa 2010 by Emporio Armani, estimated for between eight to ten thousand euros, were worn by Lady Gaga during the 'The Monster Ball Tour' concert at Paris Bercy, on December 19, 2010. It will be auction today. 

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: A worker holds a clapperboard from the film "Skyfall" during a media preview of "50 Years of James Bond - the Auction", at Christie's in London.
Photographs: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

The piece is estimated to sell for 740 - 1100 GBP ($1,200-1,800) at an online-only auction from September 28 to October 8.

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Tags: GBP , GBP

World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: People surround the original Batmobile during the Barrett-Jackson collectors car auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Photographs: Joshua Lott/Reuters

The vehicle was sold for $4,200,000, according to the auction company.

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: A Christie's member of staff displays a pear-shaped, D colour, flawless diamond of 101.73 carats during an auction preview in Geneva.
Photographs: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

The successful buyer will have the privilege to give the gemstone a name as it is the first time this item is offered on sale. It is expected to sell around CHF 28,000,000 (US$ 30,000,000).

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: Artist Andy Warhol's 'Campbell's Tomato Soup' (L), a screen print on t-shirt, ca 1981 (estimate is $12,000 to 15,000) and 'Self-Portrait with Fright Wig' (R), a screen print on t-shirt, ca. 1986 (estimate is $15,000-20,000) are seen on display at Christie's in New York City.
Photographs: Mike Segar/Reuters

One hundred and twenty-five works by the artist are the subject of an exhibition and upcoming online auction sale announced by Christie's in partnership with The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, to take place from February 26 to March 5, 2013.  

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: A magnificent Ruby-Ground Falangcai "Double-Lotus" Bowl Blue Enamel Yuzhi Mark and Period of Kangxi is shown after Hong Kong Chinese ceramics dealer William Chak has bought it for HK$74 million ($9.5 million) at Sotheby's Spring Sales in Hong Kong.
Photographs: Bobby Yip/Reuters

Sotheby's said in a press release the deal set a world auction record for Qing Kangxi porcelain.  

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: An assistant displays a black Fedora hat owned by late singer Michael Jackson at Drouot auction house in Paris.
Photographs: Christian Hartmann/Reuters

The hat, made 1984 by Maddest Hatter in Los Angeles, estimated for between four to five thousand euros, was worn by singer Jackson during the last 'Victory Tour' concert in New York, August 25, 1984. It will be auction today. 

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: A Sotheby's staff member holds a fancy yellow 74.53 carat diamond and diamond jewel from the late 19th century during an auction preview in Geneva.
Photographs: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

This jewel belonged to the late Imperial Majesty Sultan Ahmed Shah Qajar (pictured in background) the seventh and last ruler of the Qajar dynasty of Persia (1909 - 1925).

This item is expected to reach CHF 1,310,000 to 1,680,000 (US$ 1,400,000 to 1,800,000) when it comes on sale May 14, 2013.  

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: A Sotheby's staff member holds a fancy yellow 74.53 carat diamond and diamond jewel from the late 19th century during an auction preview in Geneva.
Photographs: Mike Segar/Reuters

Pablo Picasso's 'Sylvette,' painting on bent sheet metal sculpture and estimated between $12-18 million, is seen during a preview of Sotheby's May 7 Spring Evening Sale of Impressionist and Modern Art Auction at Sotheby's in New York, May 3, 2013.

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: The no 10 Royal Oak Chronograph Leo Messi by Audermas Piguet is pictured on a signed Argentinean national soccer team jersey during an auction preview at Sotheby's in Geneva.
Photographs: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

The lot includes a 41 mm platinum watch (limited to 100 copies), a signed Argentinean jersey, a signed football, the original drawing signed by the footballer and Audermas Piguet chief artistic officer Octavio Garcia and the possibility to meet the football player.

All the money of this sale that will take place May 11, 2013, will go to the Leo Messi Foudnation. The watch itself has a retail price of CHF 80,000. (US $ 85,000).

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: Kiyomura Co's President Kiyoshi Kimura, who runs a chain of sushi restaurants, wipes a sword as he cuts a 222 kg (489 lbs) bluefin tuna at his sushi restaurant outside Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo.
Photographs: Toru Hanai/Reuters

Kimura won the bid for the tuna caught off Oma, Aomori prefecture, northern Japan, with a record 155.40 million yen (1,762,700 USD) at the fish market's first tuna auction this year.

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: Presenters show a sweater made by Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi over 20 years ago, as they prepare for an auction during a Fund Raising campaign for Education Network of her NLD party at Yangon.
Photographs: Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters

The sweater was worn by Suu Kyi and sent over by her family in England in time for the auction. An unidentified person won this item with a bid of 63,000,000 Kyats (US$74,000). Suu Kyi auctioned two sweaters during the two day campaign for her party's education network and the party will receive about $130,000. 

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: A a conch pearl, enamel and diamond bracelet is presented during an auction preview at Sotheby's in Geneva.
Photographs: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

The bracelet, which once belonged to Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain (1887-1969) was made in the 1920's by Cartier and is expected to reach between CHF 750,000 and 1,300,000 (US$ 800,000 to 1,400,000) when it goes on sale November 14, 2012 in Geneva. 

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World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: A employee poses next to a pair of swimming trunks, worn by Daniel Craig in the film "Casino Royal", during a media preview of "50 Years of James Bond - the Auction", at Christie's in London.
Photographs: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

The piece is estimated to sell for 2,840 - 4,630 GBP ($4,600-7,500) at auction.

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Tags: GBP , GBP

World's most expensive products: Can you afford any?

Image: Jamie Penaloza, a member of Sotheby's auction house staff poses for a photograph holding a porcelain pagoda figure from a mother-of-pearl and stained ivory inlaid Boulle marquetry chessboard with a guide price of 200,000 -300,000, Pounds London.
Photographs: Paul Hackett/Reuters

The piece will be part of 'Treasures,Princely Taste', an auction of rare and important furniture and decorative arts of noble provenance to be held at Sotheby's London.