9/12/11

DAME Elizabeth Taylor’s Jewels are up for Auction


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DAME Elizabeth Taylor’s Jewels are up for Auction
Jewels are expected to net 20 Million
Ocean beauty: Elizabeth Taylor in 1992 wearing La Peregrina a 14th-century pearl, once owned by England's Queen Mary I also known as Bloody Mary
Elizabeth Taylor didn’t do things by halves. And even in death, that is still true, as proved by the auction of the Hollywood icon’s world-renowned collection of jewelry, recently announced
All that glitters: Along with her raven-haired beauty, Elizabeth Taylor was well -known for the fabulous collection of jewelsAll that glitters: Along with her raven-haired beauty, Elizabeth Taylor was well -known for the fabulous collection of jewelsTaylor's, 33.19-carat white diamond ring, estimated to fetch between £1.57million and £2.19million
The two-day sale in December, expected to raise more than £20million, will be preceded by a three-month global tour that will also display couture, fine art and memorabilia belonging to the actress, who died aged 79 from heart failure in March.
A total of 269 diamonds, pearls, rubies, rings, necklaces and a tiara will be sold, with several of the most valuable pieces related to Miss Taylor’s lengthy and complicated relationship with Richard Burton, whom she married and divorced twice.
‘This is without a doubt the greatest private collection of jewellery ever assembled in one place,’ said Christie’s Americas chairman and president Marc Porter.
Expected to fetch £60,000: An antique diamond tiara, a gift from Mike Todd
The collection includes everything ‘from her most jaw-dropping diamonds, gems and one-of-a-kind historic jewels to ... never-before-seen keepsakes’, he said.
Leading the gala evening sale of 89 top lots on December 13 and 14 is Taylor’s iconic, 33.19-carat white diamond ring, a 1968 gift from Burton after the actor purchased it at auction for $300,000.
The trustees of Taylor’s estate have renamed it The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, and it is estimated to fetch £1.57million to £2.19million.
But previous auctions of memorabilia belonging to celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Onassis have soared to many times their pre-sale estimates.
‘It is her depth of knowledge about fine jewellery that truly impresses,’ Francois Curiel, international jewellery director for Christie’s, said of Miss Taylor.
The Taj Mahal Diamond Circa 1627 - 28 Gold and Ruby Chain, by Cartier Gift from Richard Burton, for Elizabeth Taylorís 40th birthday La PÈrÈgrina, early 16th century Pearl, Ruby and Diamond Necklace, by Cartier Designed by Elizabeth Taylor, with Al Durante of Cartier a gift from Richard Burton
‘It was clear that she possessed an expert’s eye for craftsmanship, rarity, quality and history. She collected the best pieces from the best periods.’
Among the pieces is a 203-grain (equivalent to 55 carat) pear-shaped 14th-century pearl known as La Peregrina, once owned by England’s Queen Mary I and later passed on to Spanish queens Margarita and Isabel.
Burton bought it in 1969 at auction for £23,000, and Miss Taylor commissioned Cartier to design a new ruby-and-diamond necklace mount. It is estimated to sell for £1.25million to £1.88million.
A Suite of Emerald and Diamond Jewellery by BVLGARI, 1958-1963 a gift from Richard Burton worth over £2m
The Burton Wedding Bands Estimate: $6,000-8,000.ìThe Ping-Pong Diamondî, A Group of Three Diamond Rings, a gift from Richard Burton for winning a game of ping-pong, circa 1970 Estimate: $5,000-7,000.
A Set of Diamond and Gold ìBarquerollesî Jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels, 1970-1971 Gift from Richard Burton, upon the occasion of Elizabeth Taylor becoming a grandmother Ear Pendants Estimate: $25,000 - 35,000. ìThe Prince of Wales Broochî A Diamond Brooch, circa 1935 From the collection of the Duchess of Windsor Purchased by Elizabeth Taylor from Sothebyís, Geneva, April 1987. Estimate: $400,000 - 600,000.
At the other end of the spectrum, bidders will have a chance to buy Miss Taylor’s two, diamond-set wedding bands from her marriages to Burton, estimated to fetch only £4,000 to £6,000.
All that glitters: Along with her raven-haired beauty, Elizabeth Taylor was well -known for the fabulous collection of jewels
From Mike Todd, another of Miss Taylor’s seven husbands, there is an antique diamond tiara, which the star wore to the 1957 Academy Awards, that is estimated to fetch £40,000 to £60,000.
A Sapphire and Diamond Sautoir by BVLGARI, 1969 a gift from Richard Burton, for Elizabeth Taylor's 40th birthday, 1972 Estimate: £400,000 - 600,000
In keeping with the actress’s humanitarian work, a portion of the proceeds from exhibitions, events and publications related to the auction will be donated to The Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation, which the actress founded in 1991.

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