Christie's New York made international headlines earlier this week for its extraordinary $137,235,675 auction of Elizabeth Taylor's jewellery collector - including her wedding rings from her marriages to Richard Burton (both of them!).
Taylor's collection is now the most valuable private collection of jewellery ever auctioned, even beating Wallis Simpson's collection sold earlier this year. But rare jewellery pieces weren't the only rare collectible items offered at Christie's.
Following the jewellery sale was an auction of worn gowns and costumes from Elizabeth Taylor's remarkable career. All 67 costume lots sold, some beating their high estimates by more than 60 times. Overall, the sale netted a record total for a fashion auction.
 The Christian Dior gown with a brocade and matching purse |
Top lot was a Christian Dior gown with a silver-encrusted brocade and matching purse. The gown was expected to bring just $6,000 and in the end sold for $362,500 - more than 60 times its presale estimate.
As with many gowns in the sale, this outfit wasn't worn by Taylor on either stage or screen, but rather in her personal life for an annual ball in France hosted by Guy de Rothschild and his wife.
Other star lots included a saffron-yellow chiffon robe worn by Taylor in her iconic role as Cleopatra. Designed by Irene Sharaff, the dress brought an impressive $62,500.
Other pieces included a Versace beaded bolero jacket with embroidered rhinestone portraits of Taylor in her famous role. The star wore it to the "Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness" in April 1992. It brought $128,500.
Christie's auctions proved that Elizabeth Taylor's status as a blue chip of the collectibles markets is more than assured.
