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The Most Valuable Art and Antiques Sold at Auction
Art and antiques are big business – with prices at the top end of the market running into hundreds of millions of pounds. Here Hamiltons Removals, who provide artwork shipping across the UK, share the most valuable paintings, sculptures and antiques which have been sold at auction.
The Most Valuable Painting
Salvatore Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci fetched $450million (£347m) when it was sold at Christie’s in New York in 2017. The painting, pictured above, was bought by Bader bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan Al Saud, a member of the Saudi royal family.
The picture is of Jesus Christ in Renaissance-style clothing. There have been controversies about how much da Vinci contributed to it and it is believed to have been overpainted and restored.
Another da Vinci piece, the arguably more famous Mona Lisa, was assessed as having a value of $100m (£79m) in 1962. However, the estimated value is now 10 times that sum. It’s not likely to come up for auction, though, as it is in permanent display in the Louvre.
The Most Valuable Sculpture
L’Homme au doigt (the man with the finger) by Alberto Giacometti was also sold by Christie’s in New York, but in 2015 – the $141.3m (£112m) sale price was also a record for a sculpture.
It was made in 1947 out of bronze and depicts a man with a pointed finger. The artist was a Swiss sculptor who was also a painter, draftsman and printmaker. Experts say the price was driven by the investment value as well as collectors seeking out the very best work – this piece went to a private collector.
The Most Expensive Piece of Literature
Microsoft founder Bill Gates paid the most for a book at auction, in 1994. He spent $30.8m (almost £24m) on a notebook of scientific writings by da Vinci, called Codex Leicester.
It covers topics such as the movement of water, and the luminosity of the moon. Christie’s in New York were again the auctioneers. While it tends to be older or more historic books and manuscripts which fetch the highest prices, a handwritten (and illustrated) manuscript by JK Rowling fetched $3.97m (£3.15m) in 2007. It wasn’t a Harry Potter book but The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a book of fairytales.
The Most Expensive Celebrity Collectibles
The growth in celebrity culture and endorsements mean that high prices can be paid for anything with the right provenance. So a pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz fetched $32m (£25m) only last year.
Baseball superstar Babe Ruth’s 1932 World Series jersey fetched over $24m (£19m), again in 2024. And Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona watch went for more than $17m (£13.5m) in 2017 – the actor wore the watch during his motor racing career.
Antique Transportation in the UK from Hamiltons Removals
While we may not have handled the items listed above, Hamiltons Removals would be happy to. We have more than three decades’ worth of experience in handling paintings, as well as other artwork and collectibles.
We can transport them by road, air, and can organise artwork shipping – all co-ordinated from our base on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. If you need to store them then we can take care of that as well – they can be watched around the clock and in temperature-controlled conditions.
We also have a range of packing materials (such as cushioned lining and over carding) which will offer your possessions high levels of protection. And lastly, we offer ‘White Glove’ services – for more information go to fineart@hamiltonsremovals.co.uk or call us on 01379 855203 and a member of our Art & Antiquities team will contact you.
Q: How do Hamiltons handle the environmental risks for Old Masters?
A: Older paintings and antiques are highly “hygroscopic,” meaning they expand and contract with humidity. We offer climate-controlled transport and storage. Our vehicles can maintain a steady temperature (typically 19–21°C) and relative humidity (50–55%), preventing the wood from warping or the paint from flaking—essential for moving pieces like a Van Gogh or an Old Master, or anything slightly less expensive!
Q: When it comes to financial protection against mishaps, Is a standard removals policy sufficient for auction-grade art?
A:Often, no. Auction-grade art usually requires specialist fine art financial protection. Unlike standard policies that may have a per-item cap, Hamiltons coordinates bespoke cover based on the “Agreed Value” or the hammer price at auction. This ensures that in the unlikely event of an incident, the full investment is protected, including “Depreciation Cover” should a piece be repairable but lose market value.
Q: Can you handle unusually shaped art?
A: Yes. Many pieces (such as large sculptures) require specialised rigging. We can use floor-loading cranes and hydraulic lifts to manage heavy or awkwardly shaped bronzes and marbles, ensuring they are secured at their structural “stress points” rather than by their delicate decorative features.
Image: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
*All information correct at the time of writing
Classic and Vintage Cars – What are the Differences?
The vintage vehicle world is full of different definitions – whether you are talking classic, vintage, post-vintage or antique. There are plenty of arguments (not least among enthusiasts themselves) as to what qualifies as what.
Here Hamiltons Removals, who offer classic and vintage car transportation in Europe and across the UK, try to establish what vehicles come into what category, how they differ in age – and how, whether you are talking classic or vintage, Hamiltons Removals can help move it to a new home.
Vintage Cars
In the UK, the generally accepted rule is that vintage cars are those that were built between 1919 and 1930. These vehicles have a rarity value because after 1930 mass production was more widespread so car ownership became more than a dream for many people.
It’s generally accepted that, to be classified as vintage, the vehicles need to have survived in their original condition, or to have at least been restored to their original condition.
Other Definitions
Any car built before 1919 is classified as a Veteran car. Equally, post-vintage is defined as any vehicle built between 1930 and 1945. There is also a separate definition – Antique cars – which are generally thought to be at least 45 years old.
Examples of Vintage Cars
- The 1919 Ford Model T Sedan – this marque was among the first Model Ts with demountable tyre rims and electric starters.
- The 1925 Flint Model E-55 – part of Durant Motors, the Flint was named after the city in Michigan where it was assembled.
- The Rolls Royce Phantom – designed to replace Rolls Royce’s Silver Ghost, this vintage vehicle was built with different wheelbases and transmission systems in the UK and the US.
- The MG 14/40 – built at Cowley, Oxford, and was the first to have an MG octagon badge on its radiator (previous MGs had retained a Morris Oxford badge). An example is pictured above.
Classic Cars
In the UK, for instance, it usually applies to vehicles over 15 years old (for company taxation purposes). However, in other countries, the age varies before it can be considered a classic – for example, in the USA it’s 20 years old and in Australia and Canada it’s 25.
And there are subjective considerations about beauty and styling. For more details – and examples – check out our previous blog post here.
Classic and Vintage Car Transportation from Norfolk-based Hamiltons Removals
Whether you have a classic or a vintage vehicle – or even a post-vintage or an antique – Hamiltons Removals will be able to transport it safely and securely to its new home. Our range of vehicle services also includes covered and single car transportation to addresses in Europe and across the UK.
For more information contact vehicles@hamiltonsremovals.co.uk or call 01379 855203.
FAQs
Q: How does Hamiltons Removals protect your prized vehicle while it is in transit?
A: Whether your vehicle is classic, vintage or veteran, we have specialist vehicles and equipment to take care of this along with low angled ramps to cater for cars where bumper clearance is required to ensure the safe loading of the vehicle. We can also move other large or unusual items such as motorbikes, tractors, caravans or machinery safely and without fuss to your new location.
Q: At what age does a car become ‘Historic’ for tax and MOT purposes?
A: As of April 1, 2026, the UK government defines a “Historic Vehicle” as one built before January 1, 1986 (the 40-year rule). If your car is classified as historic, it is usually MOT-exempt, provided no substantial changes have been made in the last 30 years.
Image: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS/MG SPORTS
*All information correct at the time of writing