Actress Elizabeth Taylor has signed a deal to give Christie's exclusive rights to handle future sales of her jewelry, art work, memorabilia, clothing and other personal possessions, the auction house said on Wednesday.
"When the items I've collected are cared for by other people I hope they will be loved and respected in a sharing way,"said Taylor, 74, of her decision to see her property auctioned in the future.
"Eventually, they will be passed on to others ... but not too soon!"added the native of England who was made a dame of the British Empire in 2000.
The deal
"marks a fantastic continuation of our many years of work with this stunning film legend, humanitarian and designer,"Christie's Americas Chairman Stephen Lash said in a joint statement with the actresss.
Taylor, a two-time best actress Oscar winner and one of Hollywood's biggest stars, has virtually retired from acting but for two decades has campaigned in the fight against AIDS, which claimed her good friend Rock Hudson.
In her acting heyday she starred in film hits including "National Velvet," "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "Cleopatra," "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" and "Giant."
The auction house previously sold gowns and jewelry for the actress, including a diamond and emerald ring which was her fifth husband Richard Burton's first gift to her. The proceeds benefited the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation that she established in 1991 and the American Foundation for AIDS Research.
More recently she launched a line of popular fragrances and her House of Taylor Jewelry collection, with some items from the latter earmarked for auction at Christie's next month.
Taylor said Christie's' "decision to support my work for people with HIV/AIDS and my love affair with jewelry through House of Taylor Jewelry makes the extension of this relationship exciting."
Posted by Lance Buckley on October 21, 2006 11:36 PM
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