All photos courtesy of Goldfinch

A bespoke Steinway piano encrusted with half a million Swarovski crystals is expected to be shipped to the home of “an influential sheikh” in Qatar soon, according to a UK-based piano company.

Announcing the creation of the “world’s most luxurious piano,” Goldfinch said that its client had paid some QR2.3 million (£420,000) for the piece.

Is this the world's most luxurious piano? Half a million @swarovski crystals http://t.co/jlGmdfAlsw #luxury pic.twitter.com/85KJntGMcp

— Goldfinch (@goldfinchpianos) April 13, 2015

Work on the piano took about six months and was led by British contemporary artist Lauren Baker, who ensured each crystal was applied by hand.

Goldfinch is apparently known for its “fantastical art pianos.” In the past, it has created a piano that color-matched a RAF fighter plane, and “The Leaking Piano,” which looks like it’s melting down three flights of stairs.

In a statement, the company’s director Tomas Norman said:

“It’s been a delight to bring another customer’s dream to reality. We love nothing more than blurring the lines between timeless tradition and contemporary British art, but it’s not all about good looks – our craftsmanship is combined with cutting edge technology for that seamless finish and ultimate musicality.”

Qatar art

This is not the first time someone in Qatar has spent big bucks on art. Such items are becoming an increasingly popular investment in the Gulf state, which has seen the number of high net worth individuals here increase some 300 percent over the past 15 years.

Catering to that demographic, international auction house Sotheby’s will hold its latest sale next week for jewelry and artworks that cost in the millions of dollars.

Among the items up for sale are an emerald-cut 100-carat diamond ring valued between $19 to $25 million; a large reflective disc by British-Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor, worth $800,000 to $1.2 million; and several contemporary art pieces from around the region.

Thoughts?