US Senator Dianne Feinstein's personal collection was auctioned by Bonhams earlier this week in Los Angeles, breaking records for the auction house. Attracting the largest number of entries for a Bonhams sale in the US, the auction lasted nearly 12 hours, reaching $1.85 million in sales and doubling the estimate. It also attracted a significant number of new buyers, who accounted for 40% of the hammer price.
The longest-serving female senator in history, Feinstein was a fixture on the social scene and widely revered for her accomplishments and impeccable taste in everything from art to accessories. No wonder so many showed up for a chance to own a piece of her legacy.
Some familiar with Feinstein expressed concern that such a public display of her belongings is a far cry from what she might have wanted. Wealthy in her own right, Feinstein married billionaire Richard Blum, further adding to her wealth. Despite her wealth, Feinstein led an austere and austere lifestyle. Willie Brown, a former San Francisco mayor and longtime friend of Feinstein's, said New York Times“I think Dianne would have found it unusual to see her items auctioned off to strangers.”
Selling governance with confidence
Despite being embroiled in numerous lawsuits before and after her death, including a dispute with the estate's executors, the sale was not the result of a family battle. According to New York Timescourt records show the senator's family had little say in the liquidation of the estate, which is being administered in accordance with Feinstein and her husband's complex trust.
Friends and family of Feinstein noted that the sale “makes more sense than it might appear to outsiders” given how many personal effects she has amassed during her time in office and within her many mansions. Bonhams hand-picked many of the items that were part of the auction from Feinstein's main residence in San Francisco, as well as her homes in Washington, DC and Stinson Beach, California.
Items included
In addition to furniture and home design objects, the sale featured American art, memorabilia from her political career (such as a note from former President Jimmy Carter and a piece of the Berlin Wall) and an extensive jewelry collection (a platinum ring and the diamond selling for $108,450 was a highlight).
“This participation is a testament to the profound impact that Sen. Feinstein had in her home state of California. We are proud to have organized this auction to celebrate the life and career of a distinguished statesman and to provide a unique opportunity for collectors and admirers to own a piece of Sen's enduring legacy. Feinstein,” said Victoria R. Gray, vice president of Bonhams. North America.
According to a press release from Bonhams, other works of art by Feinstein and her late husband's collection of Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian art will be sold online from October 14-24.