In 2000, when pop star George Michael paid 1.67 million for John Lennon's Steinway Model Z piano, he can only have been thinking of the sound investment he had made. Pianos, the most played instrument in the world, are durable enough to last 40 years if they are properly looked after.
This rather average and unassuming musical instrument, on which John Lennon wrote the smash hit, 'Imagine', made history as the most expensive piano ever sold thanks to it astronomical sale price. Founded in 1853 in New York, the American and German company, Steinway & Sons, who were celebrated for their production of handmade pianos, manufactured this piece of history, which went on to tour the world in 2007, visiting sites of past violence.
This expensive piano was not the only one to be produced by this famous company. In 2008, in Steinberg's factory in Hamburg, Germany, the world's most expensive piano, priced at $1.2 million, was built. The work of Shi Qui, a Chinese painter, was reproduced for the lid and 40 different woods were used in the making of the instrument. The 'Sound of Harmony' took four years to produce and art collector Guo Qingxiang became the owner. In 2010, the piano was on display at the Expo 2010 Shangai China.
The Alma Tadema, another production of Steinway & Sons, was bought for $1.2 million in 1997 and is believed to be the second most expensive grand piano sold at auction. In 1894, New York millionaire Henry G. Marquand requested the piano be custom-made, and famous painter Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema was responsible for its decoration. It was adorned with oil paintings, ornate carvings and detailed inlays, giving it the coveted title of the most decorative piano ever produced.
Showcased by Jon Kuhn in 2009, the Limited Edition Kuhn-Bsendorfer piano, which took 18 months to build, is known as the most expensive new limited edition piano at the present time. Designed by L Bsendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH of Vienna, Austria and Jon Kuhn, the world's foremost cold glass sculptor, it has a price tag of $1.2 million.
This rather average and unassuming musical instrument, on which John Lennon wrote the smash hit, 'Imagine', made history as the most expensive piano ever sold thanks to it astronomical sale price. Founded in 1853 in New York, the American and German company, Steinway & Sons, who were celebrated for their production of handmade pianos, manufactured this piece of history, which went on to tour the world in 2007, visiting sites of past violence.
This expensive piano was not the only one to be produced by this famous company. In 2008, in Steinberg's factory in Hamburg, Germany, the world's most expensive piano, priced at $1.2 million, was built. The work of Shi Qui, a Chinese painter, was reproduced for the lid and 40 different woods were used in the making of the instrument. The 'Sound of Harmony' took four years to produce and art collector Guo Qingxiang became the owner. In 2010, the piano was on display at the Expo 2010 Shangai China.
The Alma Tadema, another production of Steinway & Sons, was bought for $1.2 million in 1997 and is believed to be the second most expensive grand piano sold at auction. In 1894, New York millionaire Henry G. Marquand requested the piano be custom-made, and famous painter Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema was responsible for its decoration. It was adorned with oil paintings, ornate carvings and detailed inlays, giving it the coveted title of the most decorative piano ever produced.
Showcased by Jon Kuhn in 2009, the Limited Edition Kuhn-Bsendorfer piano, which took 18 months to build, is known as the most expensive new limited edition piano at the present time. Designed by L Bsendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH of Vienna, Austria and Jon Kuhn, the world's foremost cold glass sculptor, it has a price tag of $1.2 million.
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