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Rare is a 2.56-pound platinum ribeye steak, hand-set with 12,159 precious gemstones totaling 216 carats.
The piece features 5,265 natural diamonds (77.83 carats, DEF color, excellent cut) and 6,894 vivid Mozambique rubies (137.75 carats), all cut to match and set freeform by hand.
Encased in a leather wrap designed to evoke traditional butcher paper, the steak is presented in a Halliburton aluminum briefcase with a custom CNC-milled black walnut insert.
Download the Appraisal Report (PDF) — A USPAP-compliant evaluation conducted by a GIA-certified gemologist establishes Rare’s estimated retail replacement value at $2,200,000.
Rare will be exhibited in The Deep VAULT VIP Lounge at The Venetian during Bitcoin 2025.
For over a decade, Maxfield Mellenbruch has quietly built one of the most respected bodies of work in the Bitcoin art world. As the creator of Kialara, he pioneered the concept of physical Bitcoin wallets as functional fine art—pieces known for their intricate engineering, enduring materials, and conceptual depth.
With a collector base that includes Fortune 500 executives, astronauts, tech pioneers, and early Bitcoin adopters, his work has remained tightly held, passed discreetly among some of the most discerning collectors in the world.
Despite maintaining only a minimal online presence, his earliest editions—originally sold at modest prices—now trade at significant premiums on the secondary market, with some appreciating more than 2,500%. Though most remain in private hands, his work is beginning to surface in major auction houses and high-end private sales, establishing his place in the emerging category of investment-grade conceptual art.
After a decade creating Bitcoin-based artwork, the move to steak wasn’t a shift—it was a statement. Where Bitcoin questioned the nature of money, Rare questions the nature of value itself.
In the tradition of Fabergé, Rare reimagines the familiar as opulent. Rare takes a cut of meat and turns it into a crown jewel of contemporary art. It’s Fabergé-level obsession and singularity—delivered with a modern, irreverent twist.
Throughout history, objects like this have blurred the line between art and asset. The Crown Jewels, Fabergé eggs, and other treasures weren’t just pretty things—they were symbols of rule, permanence, and spectacle. They spoke a visual language of wealth and control, designed to awe, intimidate, and endure. Rare steps into that lineage, not quietly, but with a smirk. It’s not here to nourish; it’s here to flex.
Rare is a reminder that in an age of disappearing meaning and intangible wealth, the most powerful thing you can do is make value visible—and dare the world to put a price on it.
Work on Rare began in late 2023 and continued through the end of 2024—an ambitious, year-long effort spanning concept, design, engineering, and fabrication.
The project was led by Max, who developed the concept, produced the original renderings, sourced materials, and directed each phase of production. Every decision—from the composition of the platinum to the layout of the stones—was part of a larger vision.
The sculpture was cast in nine separate sections by Techform Casting, the renowned foundry behind works by artists like Jeff Koons, and laser-welded with surgical precision into a seamless whole.
Gem setting was completed by Daniel Starling, a third-generation goldsmith and master diamond setter known for his technical skill and refined handwork. From start to finish, Rare pushed the limits of what’s possible in object-making—demanding precision, patience, and trust across disciplines.
To accompany the work, Mellenbruch created OG—a parallel edition of 1,000 uncirculated one-dollar bills, each loaded with $1 in Bitcoin and featuring George Washington holding a ribeye on a grill fork. These were gifted to collectors as an echo of Rare—a way to extend the piece’s reach and keep its message in circulation. As they change hands, they help ensure that Rare stays part of the public dialogue—not just now, but into the future. OG serial #21/1000 will be included with this sale.
As with all of Mellenbruch’s work, Rare combines material permanence with cultural critique—an artifact shaped by obsession, intent, and conviction.
Download Kialara: Art & Bitcoin — a free PDF documenting the origins of Kialara and Max Mellenbruch’s work — here.
Kialara: Bitcoin’s Place in the World of Art
https://dailycoin.com/kialara-bitcoin-art-world/
Physical Good:
No Reserve
The exact end time on May 29 is subject to adjustment to accommodate event scheduling.
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