Diana, Princess of Wales, was just 36 years old when she died in a car accident with her companion, Dodi Fayed, in 1997. I had seen her, some 10 years earlier, in a few private moments, and can attest how unhappy she was in her marriage. Although she was perhaps the most well-known and photographed woman in the world at the time, she also seemed to be one of the loneliest. Like many of you, I will never forget when the horrible news of her shocking death was confirmed.
This week it was announced that Christie's will be auctioning a carefully selected number of pieces from Althorp, the ancestral home of Princess Diana and the rest of the Spencer family. Althorp is currently undergoing a £10 million re-roofing and restoration project, so the sale will help to fund that project and other upkeep of the stately home.
(Courtesy of Althorp)
Pink Interior
The auction, to be held July 6 and July 8 in London, will feature exceptional English and French furniture, porcelain and works of art from the Spencer Collections, two highly collectible and important Old Master pictures, an exceptional group of 19th Century horse-drawn carriages, and treasures from the attics at Althorp. It's estimated that the sale will raise approximately £20 million.
Here are a few of the featured items:
(Credit for the following photos: Christie's Images Ltd., 2010)
THE STATE CHARIOT (1667)
A GEORGE IV BLACK-JAPANNED
AND LIVERY-STRIPED STATE CHARIOT,
SECOND QUARTER 19TH
CENTURY, BY BAKER AND CO., LONDON
Estimate: £50,000-80,000
Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)
A Commander being armed for Battle, painted
circa 1613-1614
Estimate: £8,000,000 to £12,000,000
I don't see information yet about this auction at the Christie's website, but it's always interesting to look through the various offerings...and dream!
Tags: Current Events, Generations, Heroes, Modern History, Peoples and Government
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