Elizabeth Taylor’s splendor: outfits and diamonds on display in New York

A glittering collection of accessories and outfits that belonged to Elizabeth Taylor, the Hollywood diva who loved her jewelry more than anything else, are going up for auction at Christie’s in New York.

The collection that was part of Taylor’s life is worth $150 million.

Taylor died last year at the age of 79. Her looks have since toured Europe.

They are now on display at Rockefeller Center in New York. For several days, the halls of the commercial center turned into a museum.

“Elizabeth Taylor enjoyed her superstar life. This collection shows one woman dressing to go to work, dressing to go to work as a superstar,” says Meredith Etherington-Smith, Christie’s Magazine Editor-in-Chief. Even she does not know how large the legendary actress’s wardrobe was.

The items on display include Taylor’s most luxurious jewelry, which she received from husband number five and six, actor Richard Burton, some for their weddings and some just because it was a Tuesday. These are pieces of jewelry by the best jewelry houses, gems with a long history dating back centuries.

This Bulgari necklace was a gift from Burton. The actor had given her an 18.6-carat emerald pendant brooch he bought instead of a traditional wedding ring. It was followed by a matching necklace, earrings, a ring and a bracelet.

One of the auction lots is a necklace with one of the largest pearls in the world, La Peregrina (‘the pilgrim’ or ‘the wanderer’), by Cartier. The pearl was discovered by a slave on the coast of Panama in the 16th century. The slave was rewarded with freedom. The pearl that once belonged to Mary I of England and later to Napoleon Bonaparte also featured in several paintings by Diego Velázquez.

Another gem of the collection is Taj Mahal, a flat heart-shaped diamond on a pendant necklace that was a gift from Richard Burton on Taylor’s 40th birthday.

Elizabeth never needed help from a fashion stylist. She would shop for these looks herself, hunting around for a feather purse…

… or a pair of beaded cowboy boots.

It is a collection of designs by the most prominent couturiers of the second half of the 20th century such as Dior, Chanel, Versace and Ferrero.

The collection of jewelry, outfits, purses and accessories of Hollywood’s brightest star is going on display on Tuesday ahead of a Christie’s auction in New York.

One of Taylor’s dresses auctioned by Christie’s New York