3．The most expensive Thangka in the world: Imperial embroidered silk Thangka (Emperor Yongle period in the Ming Dynasty)

The imperial embroidered silk Thangka [Photo/Xinhua]

The Thangka was sold for HK$348.4 million (around $45 million) at Christie's 2014 Autumn Auction on Nov 26, 2014.

The precious Thangka, seen as the most expensive Thangka so far, was bought by Chinese collector Liu Yiqian. It is the largest Tibetan embroidered Buddha Thangka from ancient times, with a theme of driving out evil spirits. According to Christie's, there are only three pieces of Yongle Thangkas existing and the other two are both in Jokhang Temple in Tibet.