💥The tiger shark is a symbol of power and beauty, but it is also a reminder of the fragility of life. This work of art is both a celebration of nature and a meditation on mortality.” 💥
David Zwirner, Art Dealer

According to GOBankingRates, the most expensive personal item ever purchased is a tiger shark preserved in formaldehyde in a vitrine. It was commissioned by Charles Saatchi and sold for $8 million to hedge fund billionaire Steven Cohen in 2019.

This is a very unique and expensive personal item, and it is likely that the buyer values it for its rarity and artistic value. It is also worth noting that the buyer is a very wealthy individual, so the price tag may not have been as much of a factor for them as it would be for most people. Here is a list of the top 10 most expensive personal items ever purchased, according to GOBankingRates:

1. Tiger shark preserved in formaldehyde in a vitrine – $8 million
2. Diamond Panther brooch – $4.9 million
3. Pink Star diamond – $71.2 million
4. Oppenheimer Blue diamond – $57.6 million
5. Hope diamond – $350 million (estimated)
6. Blue Moon of Josephine diamond – $48.5 million
7. Winston Blue diamond – $23.8 million
8. Graff Ruby – $8.6 million
9. Sunrise Ruby – $30 million
10. Hutton-Mdivani jadeite necklace – $27.4 million

. Here is a quote about the tiger shark preserved in formaldehyde:

“The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living is a confrontational work of art that challenges our notions of life and death. The shark, once a powerful and feared predator, is now reduced to a lifeless object, suspended in a sterile tank. This juxtaposition is both awe-inspiring and disturbing, and it forces us to confront our own mortality.”

• Dr. Sarah Lewis, Art Historian and Professor at Harvard University