History has gifted us with many things, from important figures that changed the world to events that are still a mystery to us. From the Ancient Egyptians to the Incas of Machu Picchu, lost civilizations have left behind precious artifacts that are worth their weight in gold – literally.
In other cases, modern pieces of furniture or books full of paintings can fetch just as much at a Sotheby’s auction. When it comes to historical objects, there’s a collector for everything. People will pay millions just to get their hands on a little snippet of the past.
For example, the most expensive thing ever sold at auction was a painting created five-hundred years ago. It was a painting of Christ by Leonardo Da Vinci. Titled Saviour of the World, it sold for $450 million in 2017. Wealthy private buyers and museums will go to any lengths to be able to say they own something no one else does: a piece of history.