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?
Such great taste.
Indeed, real state of the art 🙂
Liberace would have approved.
they do know Liberace’s “preferences “? !! most will draw the same conclusion.
Well yes. He respected the classical composers but was prone to elaborate or simplify depending on his own whim. Erm, I’m guessing you’re not talking about his musical preferences.
Funny I was thinking of Elton John! Preferences, yes, they both like(d) the Rolls Royce Corniche!
The chandelier is a bit overkill.
Ohh goodie! Shiny shiny me likey!
Just needs a good fountain in front of it and it is complete! Love a good fountain.
What will happen when the buyer finds out that rather than covering a piano in fake crystals, the buyer could instead have bought a Heintzman Piano that’s made of crystal for the low low price of about $3 million.
Cheapskate…someone with real money would have gone for diamonds.
Not to my taste, but it’s his money so he is free to spend as his wishes.
Evidently during Friday morning prayer time he’s not! 😉
Real bling-bling 🙂
can he play piano?
Art? Anyone can glue crystals to a piano. The art is convincing people to pay big bucks for it and we all know about fools and their money…
isnt there a woman who has a dirty bed as a piece of art?
Well, I don’t want to be a party pooper or anything, but couldn’t they have spent money like that on things such as housing and feeding the poor? I’m an artist and admire works like that but at that price I just have to occasionally wonder.
No, its their choice to be poor and homeless…like its my choice to be born Qatari and given all by the state…..sheesh some people just don’t get it!
Can s/he play piano? Looking forward to the evening soirees of piano trios
I guess money cannot buy taste
What happened to the budget austerity?