Kirman Vase Carpet

This is a fascinating story. The Kirman Vase carpet was estimated to be worth only $900 in 2009, barely four years before the most lucrative carpet sale (see above), and was later auctioned for the same sum it was acquired for: €20,000. However, the seller was dissatisfied and went to Christie's auction house, where it was estimated to be worth between £200,000 and £300,000.

The Kirman Vase carpet, with its vibrant flowers, leaves, and branches on a contrasting blue backdrop and somewhat wavy surface, was later identified as the first known rug to showcase the iconic herati design.

The subsequent auction attracted an incredible number of buyers and began at £150,000. It eventually sold for €7.5 million to a Middle Eastern bidder, making it is one of the most expensive carpets at the time.

This extraordinary piece of Persian heritage and creativity made even more history because to a fascinating argument between owners, inheritors, auction houses, and contributors, illustrating once again that certain artifacts are impossible to value.

Cost: $9.6 million