As of today, you can see the entire lavish collection of Elizabeth Taylor’s clothing, jewelry, and other memorabilia, and soon, you’ll be able to bid on it — if you have millions of dollars to spend. After a world tour, the extensive collection, comprised of about 2,000 of Taylor’s personal items, has come to rest at Christie’s in New York City, where it will be auctioned off in a four day event set to start in ten days. There are gads of gems (“You think of every great jewelry house in the world, she had something from all of them,” said Christie’s jewelry expert Rahul Kadakia), gowns from every top designer, and over 200 handbags, among other things. The official estimates are guessing that the haul will go for about $50 million — but that’s with everything priced as if it wasn’t owned by Taylor, so the true amount may be much, much higher, with all proceeds going to the Taylor estate and her AIDS Foundation. Click through for a few of the items from the collection, and let us know which are on your wish list in the comments!
1964 lithograph by Andy Warhol. Signed and inscribed by the artist: “To Elizabeth with much love.”
A beaded Versace evening jacket, entitled “The Face.”
Late 1970s tunic made from linked metal discs.
“The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond,” a 33.19-carat gem gifted to Taylor by Richard Burton in 1968.
A Valentino evening bag.
A charm bracelet also given to Taylor by Burton. One of the 20 charms is a locket that opens to reveal four medallions, each one engraved with the name and birthdate of one of Taylor’s children.
The dress Taylor wore for her first wedding to Burton. Designed by Irene Sharaff.
Taylor commissioned Cartier to design the mount for La Peregrina, the famous pear-shaped pearl, once one of Spain’s crown jewels.
This Bulgari brooch of emeralds and diamonds was an engagement gift from Burton. Taylor wore it with the yellow dress at their wedding.
Apparently, Burton gave Taylor these rings after she beat him in a game of ping-pong. They are now called the “Ping-Pong Diamonds.”
A gorgeous velvet and satin Valentino ball gown with matching evening bag.
[All photos courtesy Christie’s via NPR]