In celebration of the auction of The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor at Christie’s in New York, I’ve been taking a look at Dame Elizabeth’s love affair with Dogs & Diamonds.

 

Her passion for jewelry was well documented in her dazzling book Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry in 2002.

 

So here’s my Fantasy Gift Guide for the Elizabeth Taylor Auction.   

 

 Elizabeth Taylor’s Dog, a Maltese named Sugar

  

The Dame loved Dogs & dazzling diamonds and emeralds.

 

My Scottie Dog Taffy can spot a treat a mile away and couldn’t help but notice the bling around Elizabeth Taylor’s Dog Sugar’s neck in the photograph above.

  

Elizabeth Taylor’s Maltese Dog

 

Some Dog Collar, wouldn’t you say?  At 14.5 inches, I’m afraid it is just too big for my Dog.  Darn!

 

It’s Lot #28 in the Legendary Jewels, Evening Sale on December 13^th, just in case it will fit your pooch. 

 

A wedding gift from Richard Burton in 1964, the Bulgari emerald & diamond Dog Collar necklace is estimated to fetch $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 according to Christie’s.

 

Yep, Sugar, Elizabeth Taylor’s Maltese had a ruff life…

 

 “Sugar” Elizabeth Taylor’s Maltese

 

…snoozing on chaise lounges in Hollywood with Dame Elizabeth while wearing her jewels.

 

The Maltese was a real working Dog…if you count traveling the globe & making public appearances while being pampered work! 

 

Many Pampered Pups were in Elizabeth’s life before the Maltese.  Shih Tzus come to mind…

  

  Elizabeth Taylor’s Dog Bath

 

What’s that they say about owners looking like their Dogs?

 

Elizabeth Taylor & Shi Tzu, 1972

  

Anyway, the Dame loved Dogs & dazzling diamonds and rubies.

 

“One day I’m going to find you the most perfect ruby in the world.”    Richard Burton

 

A man of his word, Richard Burton gave Elizabeth this amazing 8.24 carat ruby ring for Christmas in 1968.

 

 

Elizabeth Taylor’s Ruby Ring

 

The Van Cleef & Arpels ring is Lot #77 in the Legendary Jewels, Evening Sale on December 13^th, just in case you’re looking for a Merry & Bright stocking stuffer!

 

Be sure to have your check book ready, because Christie’s auction estimate is $1,000,000 to $1,500,000.

 

One of my favorite pieces in the Christie’s auction once belonged to the legendary Hollywood costume designer Edith Head.

 

Elizabeth described the designer and 8-time Oscar winner as her “second mother.”

 

“Whenever I was in trouble, whenever I wanted a place to hide out and avoid socializing, I would go to Edith Head’s house.” 

Elizabeth Taylor

 

 

Edith Head & Elizabeth Taylor

 

The Hollywood Fashion Hounds were lifelong friends. It was said that they bonded over Elizabeth’s Dogs which she often brought along to fittings.

 

As a child, Edith made costumes & clothing for all of her Pets.

 

 “My best friends are animals – always have been”   

Edith Head

 

Edith Head left Elizabeth Taylor a token of her affection when she died in 1981.

 

 

Edith Head’s Token of Affection for Elizabeth

 

A spectacular necklace created out of her collection of Victorian ivory theatre tokens.

 

Christie’s estimates the necklace will fetch $2000 in the upcoming auction of The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor.

 

In addition to Hollywood Royalty, there’s British Royalty…

  

The Prince of Wales feather brooch, once worn by the Pug-loving Duchess of Windsor is also in the auction.

  

Elizabeth Taylor purchased the diamond brooch for $620,000 poolside, via the telephone, from the Duchess of Windsor Jewelry auction in 1987.

 

Prince of Wales Three Feather Brooch

  

The estimate for the Prince of Wales Brooch?  $400,000-$600,000. 

 

If I had a few hundred thousand dollars to spend, I’d be placing my bid on Lot #128.

  

 

  

The Aquamarine & Pink Tourmaline Brooch set designed by Jean Schlumberger in the 1940’s, is expected to fetch $20,000 to $30,000.

 

I drooled over the set when it went up for auction in 2007 and I’m still drooling. 

 

Here’s why…

 

 

Interior Designer Dorothy Tuckerman Draper

 

The Brooch set once belonged to Interior Designer Dorothy Draper.

  

Later, I’ve got to let the Dog out,

 

 

You’ll find more on Elizabeth Taylor’s Golden Retrievers, Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Fox Terriers, Dachshunds & Poodles here.

 

Yorkies, Shih Tzus and Pekingese of Elizabeth Taylor’s can be found here.