The lost treasures of the Titanic: Five priceless artefacts that went down 110 years ago

It was in 1912 when the ‘unsinkable’ Titanic sank after crashing into a colossal iceberg.

As it descended into the North Atlantic, more than 1,500 lives were taken while thousands of treasures were lost to sea. 

Some of the wealthiest people in the world were onboard at the time including Isidor Straus, the co-owner of the famous Macy’s department store.

While 111 years have passed, Titanic researchers continue to find new objects today – whether it be a megalodon shark tooth necklace or 1,200 teapots. 

Here, MailOnline has compiled a list of five priceless artefacts that went down with the historic liner and are still assumed to be in the wreckage. 

From paintings to cars and even several pianos, here are some of the lost material treasures of the Titanic

1. Gold necklace with a megalodon shark tooth

Earlier this week, an unusual necklace was revealed in new images from the wreckage of the Titanic.

The jewellery featured the tooth of megalodon – an extinct species of shark that was one of the largest fish to ever exist.

Estimates suggest it could grow to 60 feet (18 metres) in length, which is three times longer than the largest recorded great white shark, according to the Natural History Museum.

The stunning artefact was identified in footage taken last summer by the Guernsey-based firm Magellan Ltd, which also took thousands of still images to create amazing 3D digital scans of the wreck. 

Other objects surrounding the necklace have not yet been identified, although it appears to be near a collection of beads. 

Richard Parkinson, director of Magellan, described the find as ‘astonishing, beautiful and breathtaking’. 

‘We found a megalodon tooth which is fashioned into a necklace – it’s incredible, it’s absolutely incredible,’ he told ITV News.

The firm now intends to use artificial intelligence to identify the owners of the necklace in addition to numerous other objects without taking it out of the ocean. 

Deep-sea mapping company Magellan Ltd says the necklace is made from the tooth of a megalodon shark with gold built into it

Teeth of the extinct megalodon – one of the largest fish ever to exist – are known to reach over seven inches in length. The necklace is circled here in red

2. Steinway pianos

Steinway & Sons has been selling some of the world’s priciest pianos for around 170 years.

Auctioning for thousands – and sometimes millions – of pounds, these pianos have been owned by an elite host of celebrities, from the 20th century pianist Arthur Rubinstein to Billy Joel.

But the New York-based firm also fell victim to the Titanic tragedy, losing five Steinways on that fateful day in 1912.

These pianos were transported all the way from Hamburg to the ship in mid-March of that year, designated to those onboard.

Three Steinways were specifically tailored to first class passengers, with a uniquely distinctive sound and a show-stopping appearance.

Even still, the other two were deemed to be of exceptional quality, with a classic 20th century look. 

David R. Kirkland, Administrator for Customer Service at Steinway & Sons in Long Island City said: ‘The pianos were fastened securely to the ship’s floors. 

‘When the Titanic submerged, the piano’s keys, hammers and hinged components suspended due to the buoyance of the wood. 

‘Although glues dissolve and metals corrode, at the bottom of the ocean amidst the wreckage there probably lie remnants that bear the name of Steinway & Sons.

‘I believe it to be inevitable one day that something will be raised.’

Steinway & Sons has been selling some of the world’s priciest pianos for around 170 years

The New York-based firm also fell victim to the Titanic tragedy, losing five Steinways on that fateful day in 1912

3. La Circassienne au Bain

The 1814 painting ‘La Circassienne au Bain’ is believed to have been one of the most expensive items to go down with the ship.

Painted by French artist Merry-Joseph Blondel, the stunning artwork depicted a young naked woman bathing in a setting from classical antiquity. 

While it received mixed reviews from critics, it was valued at $100,000 being $3 million today, according to Artnet.

Tammy Ellis, a history lecturer specialising in 20th century work, told MailOnline: ‘Unlike the names Monet and Picasso (both of which feature incorrectly in the 1997 James Cameron film of the famous sinking), nowadays most people would be hard-pressed to recognise the name of the then highly successful 19th century French artist Merry-Joseph Blondel.

A faithful painting replica by John Parker of ‘La Circassienne au Bain’. The original has been lost to history 

‘Against a background of dense vegetation and classical architecture, a solitary and life-size nude woman, is about to enter her bath; little does she know that it will be her fate to be submerged for all time beneath the waters of the North Atlantic Ocean.’

4. Pink diamond 

On January 16 of 1913, The New York Times claimed that Titanic survivors had demanded a total of $6million in compensation for lost possessions.

Jewellery, baggage and even dogs were among these in addition to one $20,000 pink diamond.

These gems are extremely rare in any size, and can sell for $50million in some cases today.

The Titanic diamond of ‘six 7-16 carats’ belonged to Mrs Charlotte M Cardeza of Pennsylvania.

It is believed she was a first class passenger, having demanded £177,352.75 in total  for her lost possessions.

This also included a ‘Burma ruby’ with two diamonds worth $14,000 and a bar of soap worth $1.75.    

Pictured: A pink diamond – named ‘The Eternal Pink’ that was auctioned for more than $35million in New York during March of this year

5. Renault Type CB Coupe de Ville

You may recognise this vintage 1912 Renault from the Titanic movie – another artefact to have sunk with the ship.

Illinois’ Volvo Museum believes this car was brought onboard by a man named William Carter who actually survived the tragedy and made a claim for compensation.

As of now, this is the only known car to have been on the historic ship when it sank.

The museum said: ‘While some accounts suggest that the Renault was being shipped in a crate located in the forward section of the ship, which still remains relatively intact on the seafloor, it is uncertain whether the car is still salvageable after a century of immersion in salt water. 

‘Nonetheless, the Renault remains an important piece of Titanic history and an enduring symbol of the tragedy.’

Titanic’s biggest mysteries: Five key unanswered questions about the ill-fated liner – including why it was going so fast and circumstances around the captain’s death – READ MORE

More than 100 years after she sank while crossing the Atlantic on her maiden voyage, RMS Titanic is still widely regarded as the most famous ship in history. 

The luxury ocean liner – owned and operated by British company White Star Line – tragically sank in the early hours of April 15, 1912 after a collision with an iceberg, killing an estimated 1,517 of the 2,224 people on board. 

Her remains now lie on the seafloor about 350 nautical miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

‘The most appalling disaster in maritime history’: Titanic is depicted in this sketch among the icebergs prior to its foundering 

However, the delicate wreck is deteriorating so rapidly underwater that it could disappear completely within the next 40 years.

Although many theories surrounding the circumstances of the sinking verge into conspiracy, here are five bona fide Titanic mysteries – some of which may never be solved. 

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