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Christie’s To Sell Jewels of Socialite Betsy Bloomingdale
Jewelry from the woman who married the department store heir will be featured in the Magnificent Jewels sale scheduled for Dec. 7 in New York.
New York--She was an iconic American socialite who epitomized the style of post-war United States, and now, the very jewelry she wore while entertaining is headed to the auction block.
On Dec. 7, Christie’s New York will offer the jewelry of Betsy Bloomingdale, philanthropist and wife of Alfred Bloomingdale, the heir to the Bloomingdale’s department store fortune, at its Magnificent Jewels sale.
California-born Betty Lee Newling, who was known as Betsy, married Bloomingdale in 1946 and had three children with him.
Together, the Bloomingdales became influential figures in business, politics, culture and fashion, Christie’s said. They had homes in Los Angeles, New York and Washington, and counted some of the country’s most notable families--Forbes, Paley and Reagan, for example--as part of their inner circle.
Betsy Bloomingdale, specifically, was a world traveler and socialite, known for throwing lavish dinner parties and wearing the most fashionable haute couture and fine jewels from names such as Harry Winston while entertaining.
She died this summer at the age of 93.
Among the lots of her jewelry include a number of Harry Winston pieces, including a ring with a 29.01-carat pear brilliant-cut diamond flanked on either side by three tapered baguette-cut diamonds, expected to sell for between $1.3 million and $1.8 million; and a diamond cluster necklace with the largest 12 pear-shaped diamonds weighing 4.10 to 2.17 carats, predicted to sell for up to $600,000.
There’s also a diamond brooch with a detachable waterfall of pear-shaped diamonds, suspended from scrolling pear-shaped, marquise and baguette-cut diamond surmount, that could sell for between $100,000 and $150,000.
The Magnificent Jewels sale will close the celebration of Christie’s 250th anniversary year, reoffering an assortment of jewels from historic sales.
This will include a pair of mystery-set sapphire and diamond ear pendants by Van Cleef & Arpels that could sell for between $220,000 and $300,000. Formerly from the Collection of Elizabeth Taylor, the ear pendants originally sold at Christie’s New York in 2011.
Other notable signed jewels include a pair of JAR carved quartz and diamond brooches mounted in 18-karat black gold from the Collection of Robert and Sylvia Olnick ($30,000 to $50,000) and a stunning bib multi-gem and diamond necklace by Oscar Heyman & Brothers from a prominent Rancho Santa Fe collection ($40,000 to $60,000).
There also will be some notable stones in the auction.
A Superb Collection of Important Gemstones from a private collection includes The Burma Blue, a cushion-cut
For a full list of lots included in the sale, visit Christies.com.
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