Earlier this month, Christie’s held an auction of Elizabeth Taylor’s famed jewels, her glamorous wardrobe and other memorabilia. My mother and I attended the preview which was held the week prior to the auction.

Andy Warhol’s “Liz” an offset lithograph in colors, 1964, that Warhol dedicated to Elizabeth Taylor. Price realized - $662,500.

Beholding such a vast collection of valuable items that all belonged to one person was mind-boggling. The preview began in a large ballroom containing her life’s collection of clothing; colorful caftans, feathered robes and sparkling evening gowns abound.  We were then led into a series of smaller rooms, about 12 in all, that beheld costumes from her films, personal art collection and the most lavish jewels I have ever laid eyes on.

Taylor’s famous 33-carat diamond ring, a gift from Richard Burton (which she wore virtually every day since receiving it In 1968!),went for $8.8 million, setting a per-carat record for a colorless diamond.

While I was stunned at the magnitude of it all, I couldn’t help but feel a sad sense of irony. This lifetime amassment of fabulous goods belonged to the most iconic beauty, revered by all during her heyday. Yet here were all her prized possessions up for bid to strangers; she could neither enjoy them nor be lauded for them.

Miss Taylor’s Gina Fratini Wedding Dress, a flowing caftan-style dress worn for her second marriage to Richard Burton in Botswana in 1975, sold for $62,500.

My wistful feelings were assuaged, however, upon reading this quote from Elizabeth Taylor’s son, Chris Wilding, a few days later: “My mother always acknowledged that she was merely the temporary custodian of the incredible things she owned,”

The Taj Mahal Diamond, an Indian diamond and jade pendant necklace with a later ruby and gold chain designed by Cartier, was a gift from Richard Burton on the occasion of Elizabeth Taylor’s 40^th birthday. This historic jewel soared above its pre-sale estimate of $300,000-500,000 to a selling price of $8,818,500.

How impressive that a woman who had so much was able to recognize that there is more to life than unparalleled riches and fame. (Yup, there’s even more to life than having your face immortalized on a beaded Versace jacket!)

A Versace Beaded Evening Jacket, ‘The Face’, circa 1992, realized $128,500. This jacket is beaded with rhinestone portraits of Elizabeth Taylor in her most famous roles, including Cleopatra.

 All images are credited to CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2011

(This article originally appeared in The Jewish Press)

So what you do think about Liz Taylor’s taste in clothes and jewelry? Luxurious, eccentric or tacky? And if you had a 33 carat diamond ring, would you actually wear it every day like she did?!?!