 |
| Van Cleef & Arpels 22/84-carat Colombian emerald and diamond ring sold for $1,202,500. |
Best known for her philanthropic work, Brooke Astor — who
was married to Vincent Astor until his death in 1959 — continues to give back
through an auction of her estate, the proceeds of which go to several
charities, including the New York Public Library, The Metropolitan Museum of
Art, The Pierpont Morgan Library and the Animal Medical Center of New York.
Crowning the two-day event was the sale of 64 lots of jewelry. Astor hobnobbed
with celebrities, politicians and New York society, all while running the
Vincent Astor Foundation. Regardless of the neighborhood, she would personally
visit each and every charity that was given a donation and was always dressed
in her best with hat, white gloves and jewelry, famously saying, “People expect
to see Mrs. Astor, not some dowdy old lady, and I don’t intend to disappoint.”
Like the lady herself, the sale of her jewelry did not
disappoint. Sold 100 percent by lot and dollar value, the jewelry portion of
the sale garnered $5,650,127. The presale estimate for the jewelry was
$1,435,800 to $1,956,050. Most pieces sold over their estimate and bidding was
quick and decisive.
Love always rules and the top lot of the sale was Mrs.
Astor’s engagement ring, which had been given to her by Vincent Astor, her
third husband, in 1953. It was an impressive 22.84-carat
Colombian emerald accented by eight baguette diamonds and signed Van Cleef
& Arpels. It sold for $1,202,500* against an estimate of $100,000 to
$150,000. The crowd — of mostly privates — broke into applause after a lengthy
bidding battle came down to a phone bidder and a bidder in the room. The bidder
in attendance eventually prevailed and, wishing to remain anonymous, left the
sale immediately following his purchase.
The second highest lot of the day was a Bulgari emerald and
diamond necklace, circa 1959, that had been commissioned by Vincent Astor, but
was finished and given to Brooke Astor after his death. She always considered
the necklace a sign of “encouragement from Vincent” with regard to running the
foundation. The necklace was purchased by an anonymous buyer for $686,500
against an estimate of $250,000 to $350,000.
“It was a great combination of provenance and beautiful
jewels. Every piece told a story. It began with the emerald ring and ended with
the emerald fringe necklace and she wore them all with the movers and shakers
of the world,” concludes Lisa Hubbard, chairman, international jewelry, North
and South America. “It was a tribute to Brooke Astor. People admired her taste,
her lifestyle and her generosity.”
*All prices include buyer’s premium.
Article from the Rapaport Magazine - October 2012. To subscribe click here.