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THRONEPULSE

Prestige Thrones

The most expensive art sold at auction in the Gulf

Results from Christie's in Dubai and Sotheby's in Diriyah, as the houses published them. Purchases made abroad by Gulf collectors do not count.

5 of 5 seats verified · Checked against its sources on 30 September 2026

1 · The throne

Parviz Tanavoli, “The Wall (Oh Persepolis)”, bronze, 1975

US$2,841,000

Date
2008
Where
Christie's Dubai
Buyer
Undisclosed
Source
Gulf News +2

2 · Royal circle

Fahr El Nissa Zeid, “Break of the Atom and Vegetal Life”, 1962

US$2,741,000

Date
29 October 2013
Where
Christie's Dubai, Emirates Towers
Buyer
Undisclosed
Source
The National +2

3 · Royal circle

Mahmoud Said, “The Whirling Dervishes”, 1929

US$2,546,500

Date
October 2010
Where
Christie's Dubai
Buyer
Undisclosed
Source
The National +2

4 · Royal circle

Mahmoud Said, “Les Chadoufs”, 1934

US$2,434,500

Date
27 April 2010
Where
Christie's Dubai
Buyer
Undisclosed
Source
Gulf News +1

5 · Court

Safeya Binzagr, “Coffee Shop in Madina Road”, 1968

US$2,100,000

Date
31 January 2026
Where
Sotheby's “Origins II”, Diriyah, Riyadh
Buyer
Undisclosed
Source
Arab News +2

The record