Going once, going twice … Joan Rivers‘ private collection of accessories, jewelry and home decor is up for sale online from June 16 to 23 and via live auction on June 22 in NYC.
Among the items up for grabs are diamond brooches, amethyst necklaces and silk doghouses.
The beloved Fashion Police host, who died at the age of 81 in September 2014, had a large collection of gemstone brooches. The most expensive one in the estate? A silver-topped, gold-mounted star sapphire and diamond pendant brooch by Fabergé, which is expected to sell for anywhere between $70,000 and $90,000 during the live auction at Rockefeller Plaza. Other brooches, which Rivers loved to pin to her various embroidered blazers, include a gold and platinum-mounted aquamarine and diamond creation by Fabergé, fetching anywhere between $40,000 to $60,000 and another aquamarine and diamond design from 1908.
1. Lot 48: A gold and platinum-mounted aquamarine and diamond brooch, $40,000 to $60,000, Christie’s live auction; 2. Lot 43: A silver topped gold-mounted star sapphire and diamond pendant brooch, $70,000 to $90,000, Christie’s live auction; 3. Lot 53: A gold, silver, aquamarine and diamond brooch, $35,000 to $45,000, Christie’s live auction
Her brooches aren’t the only impressive items that will be featured in the live auction. The comedienne, and mother to Melissa Rivers also owned a ruby, emerald and amethyst beaded necklace by Iradj Moini, which could sell for $15,000.
1. Lot 119: A diamond and gold ‘Panthère’ wristwatch, by Cartier, $7,000 to $10,000, Christie’s live auction; 2. Lot 123: A pair of wood and gold cuff bracelets, by Verdura, $5,000 to $7,000, Christie’s live auction; 3. Lot 101: A gold coin bracelet, by Bulgari, $7,000 to $10,000, Christie’s live auction; 4. Lot 99, A ruby, emerald and amethyst bead necklace, by Iradj Moini, $10,000 to $15,000, Christie’s live auction; 5. Lot 100: A pair of diamond and gold ear clips, by Van Cleef & Arpels, $7,000 to $10,000, Christie’s live auction; 6 Lot 54: A turquoise and pearl set silver bracelet, $8,000 to $12,000, Christie’s live auction
Rivers’ love of colorful jewelry is evidenced by the variety of pieces, including this turquoise and pearl set silver bracelet by Fabergé (circa 1850), which could go for up to $12,000. Among her simpler items is a diamond and gold ‘Panthère’ wristwatch by Cartier, which may sell for as much as $10,000.
1. Lot 44: A suite of amethyst and rhinestone jewelry, by iradj Moini, $6,000 to $8,000, onlineonly.christies.com; 2. Lot 77: A Judith Leiber silver crystal snake clutch evening bag, $1,000 to $1,500, onlineonly.christies.com; 3. Lott 66: Three Chanel quilted handbags, $700 to $1,000, onlineonly.christies.com
Though the priciest items in Rivers’ estate will be sold during the live auction, there is an accompanying online bid. The web version of the estate sale will include designer handbags — like the set of three classic quilted Chanel crossbody bags above, starting at $700 — crystal-set clutches by Judith Leiber ($1,000 to $1,500), couture clothing and even more jaw-dropping jewelry (the amethyst and rhinestone necklace above is expected to go for $6,000 and $8,000).
1. Lot 38: A jeweled gold, silver-gilt and guilloche enamel pillbox, $12,000 to $18,000, Christie’s live auction; 2. Lot 9: A celadon silk and passementerie upholstered dog house, $1,000 to $1,500, Christie’s live auction; 3. Lot 41: A rare and important jeweled and gold-mounted nephrite study of a lily of the valley leaf, $200,000 to $300,000, Christie’s live auction
Some of Rivers’ more out-there collectibles from the live auction are our favorites. The “Rare and Important Jeweled and Gold-Mounted Nephrite Study of a Lily of the Valley Leaf” by Fabergé is thought to sell for between $200,000 and $300,000 (it’s just 5 inches long), while a silk doghouse with a hinged pagoda roof could fetch up to $1,500 and a purple pill box less than 2 inches wide will start at $12,000.
Which is your favorite piece from Rivers’ collection?
