For decades, ruling from her 14-room duplex on Park Avenue, New York socialite Brooke Astor set a standard for philanthropy, and civic responsibility. After her death in 2007 at the remarkable age of 105, relatives battled for five years over the revered heiress’ $130m estate, from which her son was convicted of stealing millions. Now, following that scandal, Sotheby’s has announced it will auction the contents of her stylish two homes. Up for grabs at the September 24-25 charity sale are everything from the guest book for her husband Vincent Astor’s yacht (est. $1000-$1500), to her 1959 Bulgari diamond, emerald and gold necklace ($250,000-$350,000).
Highlights of the sale include works of art, led by John Frederick Lewis’ “A Memlook Bey,Egypt” (est. $300,000-$500,000) and Tiepolo’s “The Deer & the Lady, with Pulchinello”(est. $300,000-$400,000), as well as various other drawings and paintings, particularly of dogs, which she loved. In addition, there’s an abundance of jewelry, Chinese lacquer furniture, export porcelain, silver, and clocks, including an Imperial Chinese gilt bronze lion clock stand from the Qianlong period (1736-1795), estimated at $180,000 to $220,000.
