Liz Taylor's jewellery revealed at Christie's

Christie's have revealed the main lots of Elizabeth Taylor's jewels to be auctioned in New York this 13 & 14 December.

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13
Dec 2011

  • New York (USA)

  • address: New York

Christie's have revealed the main lots of Elizabeth Taylor's jewels to be auctioned in New York this December. The sale will be held on the 13 & 14December at Christie's in New York along with her haute couture, accessories, art collection and memorabilia. Where to begin with the collection of Elizabeth Taylor's 269  jewels, the ultimate indulgence of the glamour-puss supreme of the silver screen? Historic, iconic, storied and even landmark have all been used to described these jewels that are a lot more than an impressive collection of show-stopper diamonds, garlands of emeralds and rubies and an historically important pearl. They are as loaded with carats as they are with intrigue, passion, caprice, whimsy, indulgence, folly and romance - and valued in excess of $30 million. Each jewel is a titillating insight into the charmed life and passionate love-life of one of the greatest legends of Hollywood. From the besotted indulgence of the high-value gifts from her lover and then twice-husband Richard Burton to the indulgent offerings of her husband Mike Todd, each tells a  story. Take the Ping Pong rings story: at their chalet in Gstaad in 1970, Elizabeth won ten points from Richard at a game of ping pong. Faced with the forfeit of buying her a diamond ring, he set off in search of the smallest diamond ring but eventually the two came home with three rings, subsequently known as the 'ping pong diamond rings'. She wore these modest rings with the same panache as her knuckleduster diamonds. Auction prices are bound to be frothed up with the allure of owning a piece of Hollywood and canny Liz made sure that her jewels were well documented. The most significant pieces in this sale feature in a weighty coffee table tome Taylor wrote called: "My Love Affair with Jewelry". As we can assume that the Queen is unlikely to put her jewels under the hammer I reckon that this will be the most exciting jewellery sale of  Hollywood royalty of the century. Read more about her love of Bulgari jewels by clicking here and anecdotes about her jewels by clicking here. Watch Christie's website for the full list and images of lots.  In the meantime, catch a sight of the Hollywood diva's jewels as they tour the world. The dates are as follows but check Christie's website for more details and if a ticket is needed. A portion of the proceeds of the sale and sales of select publications will go to the  Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor: Tour dates and locations Moscow 15 & 16 September London 24- 26 September LosAngeles 13 - 16 October Dubai 23 October Geneva 11-12 November Paris 16-17 November Hong Kong 24-27 November New York 3-12 December

  • Close up of La Peregrina one of the most important historic pearls. Prince Philip II of Spain was among the first recorded owners of the pearl and it later passed on to the Spanish queens Margarita and Isabel, who wore the pearl in 17th century...
    Close up of La Peregrina one of the most important historic pearls. Prince Philip II of Spain was among the first recorded owners of the pearl and it later passed on to the Spanish queens Margarita and Isabel, who wore the pearl in 17th century portraits by Vela´zquez.
  • The Cartier Ruby Suite. Earrings Estimate: $80,000 – 120,000
    The ruby earrings from Elizabeth Taylor's Cartier ruby suite sold for US$782,500.
  • A Suite of Ruby and Diamond Jewelry, by Cartier Gift from her husband Mike Todd, August 1957 Necklace Estimate: $200,000 – 300,000
    The ruby and diamond necklace, the most impressive piece in the suite of Cartier jewels, sold for US$3,778,500.
  • La Peregrina – The Legendary Pearl A 16th Century Pearl Ruby and Diamond Necklace designed by Elizabeth Taylor, with Al Durante of Cartier Gift from Richard Burton, January 23, 1969 Estimate: $2,000,000 – 3,000,000
    The La Peregrina 16th Century Pearl Ruby and Diamond Necklace designed by Elizabeth Taylor with Al Durante of Cartier sold at Christie's 2011 sale of Elizabeth Taylor's jewels for US$11,842,500.
  • The BVLGARI Emerald Suite A Suite of Emerald and Diamond Jewelry, By BVLGARI Gifts from Richard Burton, 1962-1967 Necklace estimate: $1,000,000 – 1,500,000 Pendant estimate: $500,000 – 700,000 Ring estimate: $600,000 -800,000 Bracelet estimate: ...
    The BVLGARI Emerald Suite A Suite of Emerald and Diamond Jewelry, By BVLGARI Gifts from Richard Burton, 1962-1967 Necklace estimate: $1,000,000 – 1,500,000 Pendant estimate: $500,000 – 700,000 Ring estimate: $600,000 -800,000 Bracelet estimate: $300,000 – 500,000 Earrings estimate: $150,000-200,000
  • The Cartier Ruby Suite Bracelet Estimate: $150,000 – 200,000. Without a mirror at hand to see how her new jewels looked, she studied her reflection in the pool instead.
    Liz Taylor's Cartier ruby and diamond bracelet, part of the suite of jewels given to her by her then-husband Mike Todd, sold for US$842,500 at Christie's New York.
  • Bulgari Emerald Suite Ring, estimate: $600,000 -800,000
    Bulgari Emerald Suite ring, known as the "Taylor Burton fiancée ring". Given to her in 1962, it was the first gift from Burton to Taylor. Its pre-sale estimate was US$600,000-$800,000, but it finally sold for US$3,330,500.
  • Pendant from the Bulgari Emerald suite, estimate: $500,000 – 700,000
    Pendant from the Bulgari Emerald suite, estimate: $500,000 – 700,000.SOLD FOR $6,587,500
  • The "Granny Suite". To mark the birth of her first grandchild in 1971 at the age of 39, Richard Burton gave Elizabeth Taylor this lion- themed set of Van Cleef & Arpels jewels. Ear pendants estimate: $25,000 – 35,000
    The "Granny Suite" To mark the birth of her first grandchild in 1971 at the age of 39, Richard Burton gave Elizabeth Taylor this lion- themed set of Van Cleef & Arpels jewels. Ear pendants estimate: $25,000 – 35,000. SOLD FOR $266,500
  • The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, of 33.19 carats D Color, Potentially Internally Flawless Gift from Richard Burton, May 16, 1968 Estimate: $2,500,000-3,500,000
    The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, of 33.19 carats D Color, Potentially Internally Flawless Gift from Richard Burton, May 16, 1968. Sold for US$8.8million (estimate: US$2,500,000-3,500,000).
  • A Gold Necklace with ivory opera passes, circa 18th and 19th centuries. Fashioned from ivory theatre tokens, this one-of-a-kind necklace was owned by the Hollywood costume designer Edith Head Estimate: $1,500 – 2,000
    A Gold Necklace with ivory opera passes, circa 18th and 19th centuries. Fashioned from ivory theatre tokens, this one-of-a-kind necklace was owned by the Hollywood costume designer Edith Head Estimate: $1,500 – 2,000. SOLD FOR $314,500
  • The BVLGARI Emerald Necklace, estimate: $1,000,000 – 1,500,000. The necklace can be worn with an emerald pendant.
    The BVLGARI Emerald Necklace, estimate: $1,000,000 – 1,500,000. SOLD FOR $ 6,130,500

where:

  • New York: USA
  • address: New York