Auction highlight: a storied Hollywood jewel box comes under the hammer

Today Bonhams Los Angeles will auction the author Jackie Collins’ watch and jewellery collection as part of the sale of her $3m estate. During a near-50 year writing career, the author, who died in 2015, wrote 32 novels, selling half a billion copies worldwide.

Born in London in 1937, the younger sister of actress Joan Collins who starred in film adaptations of two of her novels, The Stud (1978) and The Bitch (1979), the author lived for much of her life in Beverly Hills, immersing herself in the Hollywood lifestyle her fans loved to read about.

Her taste in jewellery was as bold and eclectic as her personality and writing style. ‘She was very much her own person, challenging the societal norms of how women wear jewellery,’ says Susan Abeles, director of Bonhams’ US jewellery department. ‘She successfully paired contrasting designs, layering both “day” and “night” jewellery to create her own style.’

One striking art deco emerald and diamond platinum necklace (estimate £32-48,000) may well have been worn for lunch on Rodeo Drive. Another piece, an impressive 6.04 carat pear-shaped diamond ring (estimate £78-128,000), is depicted in a glamorous Tamara de Lempicka-style portrait of the author, which is also on the auction block.

Collins once joked, ‘My weakness is wearing too much leopard print.’ Her love of big cats is evident in her extensive collection of Cartier Panthère jewels, including one necklace (£8-12,000) that features felines stalking their way around a stiff gold collar.

Titled ‘A Life In Chapters’, the auction also features Collins’ watch collection. A typically understated 1949 Patek Philippe Reference 2448 Calatrava (£4-6,400), with an unusual two-two tone silver dial, stands out as an understated men's piece among her many women’s dress watches. Another Patek Philippe is a rare 1958 model with a rectangular platinum bezel of baguette-cut diamonds (lot 620, £12-16,000).

Part of the proceeds from the 1000-lot estate sale, which includes her art collection and her bespoke 2002 Jaguar XKR Coupe, will go to support women’s arts and education initiatives, ensuring that Jackie Collins, the original ‘Boss Lady’ has the last word to the end.

INFORMATION

The auction ‘Jackie Collins – A Life In Chapters’ will take place today. For more information, visit the Bonhams website