This week, Los Angelinos are in for a unique treat as Christie’s of New York takes items from the late Elizabeth Taylor’s estate on a world tour before auctioning them at Rockefeller Center on December 14-17 (some items will be available online only from Dec 3-17). West Hollywood's MOCA Pacific Design Center will host the exhibit on the West Coast. This exhibit serves the dual role of being a tribute to this legend’s life as well as an opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to own a piece of the collection.
Film buffs will be delighted to see that throughout her lifetime, Ms. Taylor managed to collect the most famous jewels of all time. Among a collection that contains pieces by Bvlgari, Cartier, and Harry Winston, the most famous include what is now known at the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond (formerly, the Krupp Diamond), and the historic La Peregrina pearl.
The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond is the 33 carat ring that Ms Taylor wore daily. It was even featured on The Simpsons as her character polished her Academy Award! This gift from then-husband Richard Burton sold for over $300,000 at an auction in 1958 and is projected to close between $2.5-$3.5 million at the Christie’s auction this December.
Pearls have made women feel precious and beautiful since the beginning of time, but few are as dazzling and celebrated as La Peregrina. This natural 55 carat pear-shaped pearl that first became one of the crown jewels of Spain when Philip II gave it to his new bride, Queen Mary I of England (later known as “Bloody Mary”) in 1554. It later became immortalized in portraits by Velasquez of the queens of Spain and France. La Peregrina was passed down through the Bonaparte family, and eventually was purchased at an auction by Richard Burton and given to Dame Elizabeth in 1969.
Call me a history geek, but there’s just something so fascinating and romantic about how such a timeless pearl can be cherished by so many notable women among the royals of Europe, and now the film royalty that Americans admire. Isn’t it incredible how pearls and diamonds can suit as many styles throughout time as there are women to wear them!
These baubles will make their rounds around the world, and tickets for viewing in Los Angeles quickly sold out (I even missed out on the first round of sales). Fortunately, Christie's has added viewing times to Friday, Oct 14 and Saturday, Oct 15 dates only for $50 per person. Click here to reserve your tickets now. A portion of the proceeds generated by exhibition admissions, events, and select publications related to the sale will be donated to The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, which provides funding to AIDS service organizations worldwide.
C'mon, LA. It'll be fun. Get dressed up, stop for cocktails, and have a Breakfast-at-Tiffany's-style good time.
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