Priciest Sculptures Ever Sold
Where Art Meets Prestige
Sculpture has always held a special place in the world of fine art—blending form, material, and emotion into three-dimensional masterpieces that transcend time. Unlike paintings, sculptures engage with space and light, inviting viewers to experience them from every angle. Over the centuries, this unique art form has evolved dramatically, from the classical finesse of marble to the provocative innovation of modern materials.
Today, some sculptures are not only cultural treasures but also symbols of immense financial value. They have shattered records at prestigious auctions, becoming coveted assets for collectors, museums, and nations alike. In this article, we journey through the most expensive sculptures ever sold—each piece reflecting not just artistic brilliance, but also the prestige, history, and intrigue that elevate its worth far beyond the materials from which it was made.
The Lamp for $6.8 Million
For a contemporary artist, the most important challenge is to discover a material or approach that has never been used before. In today’s art world, even if one possesses the genius of Leonardo da Vinci, it’s nearly impossible to sell a sculpture or painting unless it carries the label of being “the first of its kind.” This is the fundamental reality of the global art market. A quintessential example of this is Bear Lamp (Lampa Bear) by Swiss artist Urs Fischer.
At first glance, Bear Lamp appears to be a soft, oversized plush toy. In truth, it is a seven-meter-tall bronze sculpture weighing a staggering 17 tons. The artwork merges two everyday objects—a teddy bear and a desk lamp—into a surreal hybrid that evokes both nostalgia and whimsy. The bear, slumped under the lamp, recalls the comfort of childhood, while the scale and material elevate it into the realm of monumental art.
Fischer is known for creating fantastical combinations of familiar items, often using unconventional materials or exaggerated forms. Bear Lamp was created as a tribute to objects we grow up with, embedding them with emotional resonance and a sense of innocent wonder. After standing prominently in front of Christie’s New York headquarters, the bright yellow bear was acquired by a private collector for $6.8 million—transforming a childhood symbol into one of the most iconic and expensive contemporary sculptures in the world.
A $91 Million Dollar Rabbit
Jeff Koons’ Rabbit is one of the most iconic and recognizable sculptures in contemporary art. Created in 1986, this stainless steel work depicts a shiny, inflatable-style rabbit that combines playful innocence with a sleek, industrial finish. The sculpture reflects Koons’ fascination with consumer culture and childhood nostalgia, transforming an everyday party balloon into a monumental, highly polished artwork.
The Rabbit has become a symbol of Jeff Koons’ artistic approach, which often involves elevating kitsch objects to the status of fine art. Despite its playful appearance, the sculpture carries a deeper commentary on value, reproduction, and the art market. In 2019, one edition of Rabbit made headlines when it sold for over $91 million at auction, setting a record for the most expensive work by a living artist. This sale further cemented Koons’ place among the leading figures of contemporary art and underscored the cultural impact of this deceptively simple sculpture.
L'Homme Au Doigt
Sculpture by Alberto Giacometti
Alberto Giacometti’s L’Homme au doigt stands as the most staggering record in outdoor bronze sales, shattering expectations when it fetched US $141.3 million at Christie’s New York in May 2015. Cast in a limited edition of six—and one artist’s proof—this nearly six‑foot tall, slender embodiment of the existential quest reflects the post‑war human condition. Giacometti famously sculpted it in a single night between midnight and dawn, driven by a pressing exhibition deadline. Its record still stands, a testament to its rarity, scale, and the sculptor’s emotional depth.
Recent market shifts, including the dramatic failure of a $70 million Giacometti bronze head at Sotheby’s in May 2025, suggest growing skepticism at the top tier of the art economy.
For the Love of God
$100 Million
Damien Hirst’s platinum skull encrusted with over 8,600 flawless diamonds, known as For the Love of God, shook the contemporary world upon its unveiling in 2007. With an estimated asking price of £50 million, it would have been the highest price ever paid for a living artist. While its private sale remains veiled, Hirst’s provocative skull remains an emblem of 21st‑century art’s clash between opulence and mortality.
Bird in Space
Constantin Brâncuși
Brâncuși’s Bird in Space transforms minimalism into soaring form. In 2005, one bronze cast sold privately for approximately US $27.5 million, setting a world auction record for sculpture at the time. Strikingly elegant, its smooth, elongated lines influenced modern perceptions of abstraction and physicality.
Another of Brâncuși’s landmarks, Danaide, realized $18.1 million at auction in May 2002. The work explores themes of myth and form, deepening Brâncuși’s reputation as a pioneer in bringing fluidity and psychological resonance to stone and bronze.
Spider
Louise Bourgeois
Louise Bourgeois’s towering Spider sculptures—referred to as “Maman”—have become monumental symbols of motherhood, strength, and tension. One cast sold for US $32.1 million in 2019, representing the highest auction result for a female sculptor.
Him | $20,410,000
Maurizio Cattelan
Maurizio Cattelan’s wax sculpture Him—depicting a kneeling, Hitler‑like figure—uses human hair and rubber to provoke deep discomfort and reflection. Though privately sold, it stands among his most iconic and controversial works, challenging notions of representation and power.
Untitled Sponge Sculpture
Yves Klein
Yves Klein’s sponge sculptures, such as Untitled (Sponge), are visceral explorations of materiality. Although not, to date, commanding world‑record prices of US $22 million, Klein’s minimalist sponge pieces—particularly those saturated with his signature pigment—have had strong performances at auction, signaling enduring market interest in textural and conceptual purity.
Contemporary Spotlight & Market News
A Rodin previously thought to be a replica was authenticated and sold for US $984,000—a nearly year‑long rediscovery of a missing 1890s bronze.
The broader art market is cooling: millennial and Gen Z collectors show less interest in trophy art—impacting sales of high‑value works by Giacometti, Picasso, and Hirst.
Meanwhile, efforts are underway in the UK to retain Barbara Hepworth’s post‑war masterpiece Sculpture with Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue and Red, as public bodies campaign to fund its £3.8 million price tag.