Barbara Walters’ jewelry, art expected to sell for millions at auction

Jewelry and art that belonged to the late Barbara Walters is slated to go on auction beginning Nov. 6.

Walters, a longtime television journalist, died last December at the age of 93. The estate she left behind is estimated to be worth around $8 million. Now, 120 pieces of jewelry and 300 artworks will be up for auction via Bonhams New York.

‘RIGHT TO REPAIR’ CARS, IPHONES, AND TRACTORS GAINS STEAM IN STATES AND DC

Among the jewelry for sale is a ruby and diamond flower broach. Walters wore it multiple times, notably at the Friar’s Club’s 90th-anniversary tribute dinner and roast in her honor in 1994, as well as on the eighth annual Night of Stars fashion festival at the Waldorf Astoria in New York in 1991. On its own, it is estimated as much as $18,000 in value.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Courtesy of Bonhams, granted with permission

A pair of earrings that is up for bidding comes from France and is a colorful gemset. Walters wore them during the 2014 TIME 100 Gala held at Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York. These are estimated at as much as $250,000.

Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Courtesy of Bonhams, granted with permission

“Jewelry was incredibly special to Barbara Walters, and her collection included everything one could want in a jewelry collection: exceptional designs from renowned jewelry houses including JAR, as well as pieces from many American designers such as Harry Winston, Angela Cummings, and Seaman Schepps,” Bonhams Global Head of Jewelry Jean Ghika said in a press release. “Her jewels of choice were big, bold, and audacious, which suited her personality. She wasn’t afraid to mix costume pieces with real gemstones — it wasn’t about value but the style and look, reminiscent of Coco Chanel’s ethos. For Barbara Walters, jewelry made her feel dressed.”

Three of the artworks showcased in the press release preview of the auction are estimated at around $1 million each. This includes The Flower Girls by Childe Hassam, which Walters bought after her trip to Paris, France, which, according to her memoir, was a reminder of “walking to the flower market one beautiful, early morning and sitting on a bench, surrounded by bouquets of brilliant flowers and thinking, I’m happy. Utterly and completely happy.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Additionally, some of Walter’s personal items will also appear at the auction, including an award she received for hosting her 1,000th show of The View, and a Walter Cronkite award for journalism. These items all come from her Upper East Side apartment in New York City.

Walters was survived by her only daughter, Jacqueline Danforth, whom she adopted in 1968. The journalist never remarried after divorcing the late Merv Adelson in 1992, and his engagement ring to her is among the auctioned items.