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Bling and Haute Couture: Christie's Kicks Off Liz Taylor Auction

Friday, December 02, 2011

By Abbie Fentress Swanson

  • The auction includes items from five decades of Taylor's life, including this Versace beaded evening jacket from 1992 called Enlarge

    The auction includes items from five decades of Taylor's life, including this Versace beaded evening jacket from 1992 called "The Face." It features portraits of Taylor in her most prominent roles. (Courtesy of Christie's)

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A Tiziani black velvet cape Liz Taylor wore to Princess Grace of Monaco's "Scorpio Ball" and the diamond and gold wedding bands Taylor wore in both of her marriages to Richard Burton are a few of the items that Christie's will auction off this week in one of the year's most anticipated sales: "The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor."

The sale features 269 jewels once owned by the late Hollywood film star and icon Elizabeth Taylor. Together, they are expected to net more than $30 million, according to the auction house.

The jewelry up for auction includes La Peregrina, a necklace of rubies, diamonds and a pearl dating to the 16th century, and the so-called Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, which is a 33.19 carat rectangular cut diamond ring. (Both were presents from Burton). A Cartier ruby and diamond bracelet, earrings and necklace from Taylor's third husband, Mike Todd, will also be for sale, as will a pear-shaped 16.98 carat diamond ring that was a gift from Michael Jackson.

Also up for auction are 400 pieces of haute couture that include a Chanel ballgown Taylor wore to the Royal Film Performance of "The Taming of the Shrew" in 1967 in London. The Irene Sharaff saffron yellow chiffon robe embroidered with a Sacred Ibis that Taylor wore in "Cleopatra" is also up for auction, as is the Gina Fratini dress she wore at her second marriage to Burton in 1975.

Other outfits, handbags, vintage costume jewelry, shoes and belts that Taylor owned by Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Versace, Hermès, Fendi, Valentino, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada also will be sold.

Taylor passed away on March 23 at her home in Los Angeles at age 79.

The Christie's sale runs from Dec. 13 through 17.

View some of the pieces from her collection in the slideshow below.

Updated 12/13

La Peregrina was designed by Taylor and Cartier. The necklace, which features rubies, diamonds and a pearl dating back to the 16th century, was part of the crown jewels of Spain.
Caitlyn Kim/WNYC
La Peregrina was designed by Taylor and Cartier. The necklace, which features rubies, diamonds and a pearl dating back to the 16th century, was part of the crown jewels of Spain.

It was a gift from Richard Burton in 1969 and is expected to sell for between $2 and $3 million at auction.

Taylor wore this rectangular cut diamond ring of 33.19 carats almost every day. The so-called Elizabeth Taylor Diamond was a gift from Burton in 1968 and is valued at between $2.5 and $3.5 million.
Caitlyn Kim/WNYC
Taylor wore this 33.19 carat rectangular cut diamond ring almost every day. The so-called Elizabeth Taylor Diamond was a gift from Burton in 1968 and is valued at between $2.5 and $3.5 million.
Taylor wore this Tiziani black velvet evening cape (L) to Princess Grace of Monaco's 40th birthday “Scorpio Ball” and this Chanel ballgown (R) to 'The Taming of the Shrew' in 1967 in London.
Caitlyn Kim/WNYC
Taylor wore this Tiziani black velvet evening cape (L) to Princess Grace of Monaco's 40th birthday “Scorpio Ball” and this Chanel ballgown (R) to 'The Taming of the Shrew' in 1967 in London.

MORE ON THE CAPE: Though she was born a Pisces, Taylor was permitted to attend Princess Grace's ball – meant strictly for Princess Grace's fellow Scorpios – as the date of her husband Richard Burton, who shared the correct zodiac sign. At the time of the cape's commissioning, Karl Lagerfeld was Tiziani's freelance designer, and this eye-catching piece embroidered with diamanté scorpions and detailed with an ivory moiré silk lining, may well have been one of his designs.

This tiara, which dates back to 1880, was a gift from Taylor's third husband, film producer Mike Todd, in 1957.
Caitlyn Kim/WNYC
This tiara, which dates back to 1880, was a gift from Taylor's third husband, film producer Mike Todd, in 1957.

Taylor wore the tiara to the Academy Awards in 1957, where Todd’s film "Around the World in 80 Days" won for Best Picture.

The auction includes items from five decades of Taylor's life, including this Versace beaded evening jacket from 1992 called
Courtesy of Christie's
The auction includes items from five decades of Taylor's life, including this Versace beaded evening jacket from 1992 called "The Face." It features portraits of Taylor in her most prominent roles.

Taylor and Gianni Versace became friends in the '90s. This rhinestone beaded evening jacket is arrayed with portraits of Taylor in her most famous roles. She wore it to 1992‟s “Glitter and Be Giving” Gala to benefit The American Foundation for AIDS Research and when she was honored the previous year by the Centre for Counseling and Psychology for her contributions in support of AIDS patient care.

Taylor had some funky pieces as well like this white feather evening cape labeled
Courtesy of Christie's
Taylor had some funky pieces as well like this white feather evening cape labeled "Chris Levin" from the 1970s. The cape is estimated to sell for between $4,000 and $6,000 at auction.
The Irene Sharaff saffron yellow chiffon robe embroidered with a Sacred Ibis that Taylor wore in
Courtesy of Christie's
The Irene Sharaff saffron yellow chiffon robe embroidered with a Sacred Ibis that Taylor wore in "Cleopatra" is also up for auction.
This Art Deco Egyptian Revival bracelet is expected to sell for between $500,000 and $700,000. It was also a gift from Richard Burton.
Caitlyn Kim/WNYC
This Art Deco Egyptian Revival bracelet is expected to sell for between $500,000 and $700,000. It was also a gift from Richard Burton.
The Art Deco bracelet, along with gifts from Mike Todd: a Cartier ruby and diamond bracelet, earrings and necklace.
Caitlyn Kim
The Art Deco bracelet, along with gifts from Mike Todd: a Cartier ruby and diamond bracelet, earrings and necklace.
Taylor's Taj Mahal diamond pendant necklace is valued at between $300,000 and $500,000. It dates back to 1627-28 and was a 40th birthday present from Richard Burton.
Caitlyn Kim/WNYC
Taylor's Taj Mahal diamond pendant necklace is valued at between $300,000 and $500,000. It dates back to 1627-28 and was a 40th birthday present from Richard Burton.
Two Christian Dior pink chiffon and Raffia embroidered evening gowns from 1968 will also be sold at auction.
Courtesy of Christie's
Two Christian Dior pink chiffon and Raffia embroidered evening gowns from 1968 will also be sold at auction.
Taylor wore this Gina Fratini dress at her second marriage to Richard Burton in 1975.
Courtesy of Christie's
Taylor wore this Gina Fratini dress at her second marriage to Richard Burton in 1975.
Taylor wore this Givenchy evening gown and Valentino satin evening bag in the 1980s.
Courtesy of Christie's.
Taylor wore this Givenchy evening gown and Valentino satin evening bag in the 1980s.
Taylor wore these Ruser diamond and cultured pearl ear pendants to the Academy Awards in 1960 where she won an Oscar for
Courtesy of Christie's
Taylor wore these Ruser diamond and cultured pearl ear pendants to the Academy Awards in 1960 where she won an Oscar for "Butterfield 8."
These two diamond and gold eternity bands were given to Taylor by Richard Burton upon their marriages in 1964 and 1975.
Courtesy of Christie's
These two diamond and gold eternity bands were given to Taylor by Richard Burton upon their marriages in 1964 and 1975.
A pair of antique diamond ear pendants along with a Bulgari colored diamond ring, an antique diamond necklace and a sapphire and diamond brooch by Jean Schlumberger, Tiffany & Co.
Caitlyn Kim/WNYC
A pair of antique diamond ear pendants along with a Bulgari colored diamond ring, an antique diamond necklace and a sapphire and diamond brooch by Jean Schlumberger, Tiffany & Co.

The ring was a gift from Eddie Fisher on Taylor's 30th birthday on Feb. 17, 1962.

A pair of Kutchinsky emerald and diamond ear pendants along with more gifts from Richard Burton: a Bulgari emerald and diamond bracelet and ring.
Caitlyn Kim/WNYC
A pair of Kutchinsky emerald and diamond ear pendants along with more gifts from Richard Burton: a Bulgari emerald and diamond bracelet and ring.
The bracelet is valued at between $300,000 and $500,000.
Caitlyn Kim/WNYC
The bracelet is valued at between $300,000 and $500,000.
This Art Deco sapphire and diamond sautoir by Bulgari is valued at between $600,000 and $800,000. It was a 40th birthday present from Burton.
Caitlyn Kim/WNYC
This Art Deco sapphire and diamond sautoir by Bulgari is valued at between $600,000 and $800,000. It was a 40th birthday present from Burton.
The sautoir with a pair of sapphire and diamond ear pendants by Van Cleef and Arpels, a sapphire
Caitlyn Kim/WNYC
The sautoir with a pair of sapphire and diamond ear pendants by Van Cleef and Arpels, a sapphire "Trombino" ring by Bulgari and a pear-shaped diamond ring of 16.98 carats.

The diamond and sapphire ring pictured to the upper-left was a gift from Michael Jackson and is valued at between $80,000 and $120,000.

This Valentino brown satin, bead and feather evening bag dates to 2000 and is valued at between $500 and $700.
Courtesy of Christie's
This Valentino brown satin, bead and feather evening bag dates to 2000 and is valued at between $500 and $700.
This charm bracelet with 20 charms is expected to sell for between $25,000 and $35,000.
Courtesy of Christie's
From her childhood through adulthood, Taylor collected charms for her many bracelets. This 20-charm gold bracelet is expected to sell for between $25,000 and $35,000.

The charms include an engraved clapperboard commemorating "The Taming of the Shrew," a gold jeweler’s loupe inscribed with Taylor’s name and a gold sphere locket that opens to reveal four medallions, each one engraved with the names and birthdates of each of her four children.

Andy Warhol's
Courtesy of Christie's
Andy Warhol's "Liz," a lithograph made in 1964 is expected to sell for between $30,000 and $50,000. Warhol signed the work, "to elizabeth with much love."

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Anton

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Mar. 07 2013 02:16 PM
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