Elizabeth Taylor’s larger-than-life acting career and her remarkable life will be represented in a four day auction of her jewels, fashion, accessories, decorative arts and memorabilia by Christie’s New York . At least two of the days will be devoted to her stunning jewelry collection.
Prior to the sale there will be a worldwide three-month tour of her possessions ending with a 10-day museum-quality exhibition at Christie’s headquarters in New York. In keeping with Taylor’s life-long devotion to humanitarian causes, Christie’s said that a portion of the money generated by exhibition admissions, events and publications related to the auction of the sale will be donated to The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Founded in 1991, ETAF provides funding to AIDS service organizations throughout the world to assist those living with HIV and AIDS.
The auction will be held December 13-16. The international tour will begin in September and include stops in Moscow, London, Los Angeles, Dubai, Geneva, Paris and Hong Kong. The tour will culminate in New York with the exhibition to be held December 3-12. Christie’s New York will devote its entire Rockefeller Center gallery space to the public exhibition and sales, which the international auction house said should draw several thousand visitors each day.
“The global tour and exhibition of her collection at Christie’s will be a window into the world of a true icon, a rare woman who was at once an international film and fashion star, loving mother, successful businesswoman, and generous humanitarian,” said Marc Porter, chairman and president of Christie’s Americas. “This collection of her many cherished possessions will bring us closer to the essence of Elizabeth Taylor’s unique spirit, and promises to inspire admiration, delight, and at times, sheer wonder, in all who come to see it.” The New York exhibition and auction details are as follows:
The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor December 3 – 12
The Legendary Jewels, Evening Sale December 13
Jewelry (Sessions II & III) December 14
The Icon and her Haute Couture, Evening Sale December 14
Fashion and Accessories (Sessions II, III & IV) December 15
Fine and Decorative Art & Film Memorabilia, December 16
including costumes