Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry

Exclusive: Liz Taylor Collection Debuts In L.A.

October 11, 2011

“We really didn’t have to second-guess where to start the American tour, it had to be Los Angeles,” Brett Sherlock of Christie’s tells Style.com, referring to the tightly edited collection of Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry, couture, and select movie memorabilia that makes its U.S. debut at L.A.’s MOCA on Thursday. After basking in its rightful Hollywood glory, the Christie’s exhibition will continue a two-month-long world tour ending at Christie’s New York with a two-week-long auction.

Dubbed as the greatest jewelry collection that the auction house has ever had the honor of presenting, the public display provides a very exacting window into the private life of the Hollywood icon. Set against the somewhat stark contemporary space, the lots are displayed in their simplest form, viewable from all angles though Plexiglas: Two of Taylor’s Academy Awards are on display, as are her framed Warhol print, Dior full-length evening gowns, her namesake 33-carat diamond ring (estimated to rake in $3.5 million when it goes on the chopping block in December), an inscribed flat diamond, and countless others.

“This is the highest-profile auction we do,” Sherlock said. “We’ve given over our entire Rockefeller Center headquarters for this 2,000-item event.” Excitement over the tour and auction is already causing sellout crowds and forcing organizers to extend hours to meet the demand. No surprise there—Liz always knew how to draw a crowd.

—Alexis Brunswick

Photo: Courtesy of Christie’s

tags: Christie's, Elizabeth Taylor, MoCA