CHRISTIE'S RECORD BREAKING EVENING SALE OF LEGENDARY JEWELS FROM THE COLLECTION OF ELIZABETH TAYLOR $115,932,000/ £74,196,480/ €89,267,640 MARKING THE FIRST SALE IN THE FOUR-DAY SERIES: 13-16 DECEMBER 7 WORLD AUCTION RECORDS, INCLUDING A PEARL JEWEL, AN INDIAN JEWEL, AN EMERALD JEWEL, PRICE PER CARAT FOR A COLORLESS DIAMOND AND FOR A RUBY |
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La Peregrina Estimate: US$2,000,000-$3,000,000 Price Realized: US$11,842,500 |
New York - The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor: The Legendary Jewels Evening Sale achieved $115,932,000 (£74,196,480/€89,267,640), becoming the most valuable jewelry auction in history and setting the tone for Christie's highly anticipated four-day series of landmark auctions devoted to the iconic collection of Elizabeth Taylor (13-16 December 2011). A tribute to the discerning eye of this celebrated film star, fashion icon, and humanitarian, the sale was 100% sold by lot and 100% by value, with 24 of the 80 jewels fetching over $1 million and 6 jewels over $5 million. 7 new world auction records were established: price per carat for a colorless diamond and for a ruby; a pair of natural pearl ear pendants; a pearl jewel; an Indian jewel and an emerald jewel.
The top lot of the sale was the legendary 16th century pearl La Peregrina which realized $11,842,500 (£7,579,200/ €9,118,725), setting two world auction records: for an historic pearl (against the previous record of $2.5 million set by La Regente at Christie's Geneva, 2005) and for a pearl jewel (surpassing the $7 million record paid for The Baroda Pearls at Christie's New York, 2007). A gift from Richard Burton in 1969 (having been bought for $37,000 at auction), this remarkable pearl of 203 grains in size is equivalent to 50 carats. Discovered in the 1500s in the Gulf of Panama, it became part of the crown jewels of Spain and ranks as one of the most important historic pearls in the world. Elizabeth Taylor designed the Ruby and Diamond Necklace with Al Durante of Cartier to offset what she called "the most perfect pearl in the world." The sales continue December 14, with a treasure trove of 190 additional jewels, including personal mementos and beloved gifts. The eagerly anticipated sale of The Icon and her Haute Couture will also take place on the evening of December 14, starting at 7pm. |
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