It’s a given that anything owned by royalty will bring in the big bucks at an auction. But a set of chairs belonging to Charles X of France, which sold for £1 million, may be the most unexpected auction success yet (although definitely less unusual than the Queen’s Mickey and Minnie Mouse dolls).
The world’s most expensive seats included two armchairs and two regular chairs that were commissioned in 1778 by Charles Philippe, then the Count of Artois, and later King Charles X of France.
According to Artcurial, the French auction house that sold the pieces, the chairs were designed to furnish Charles’ bedchamber at his Château de Bagatelle. During the French Revolution, the furniture was confiscated and later sold, and Charles sought political asylum in Britain.
Charles later returned to his homeland in 1814 where he reigned as king from 1824 until 1830 when he abdicated the throne after riots that prompted the July Revolution.
Despite missing their seats and backs, the chairs were estimated to earn £450,000 when they were listed by the Swiss collector who owned them.
But after a bidding war, the chairs brought in £1.06 million with fees. Let’s just hope the lucky bidder saved some money for those seat cushions.
