Philanthropist Anne H. Bass’s Exquisite Jewelry Heads to Auction at Christie’s
Pieces from important designers like JAR and Van Cleef & Arpels will be up for auction.
Anne H. Bass stands as an enduring symbol of classic elegance, and she is known for her contributions to cultural philanthropy and her expert appreciation for beauty. Now, an Anne Bass Christie’s Auction is offering a rare glimpse into her impeccable personal style with the upcoming auction of The Jewelry Collection of Anne H. Bass, a highlight of their Magnificent Jewels sale scheduled for June 17, 2025, at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
Meet the Expert
- Grant Mobley is the Jewelry & Watch Editor of Only Natural Diamonds.
- He is a GIA Diamonds Graduate.
- He has over 17 years of jewelry industry experience, starting with growing up in his family’s retail jewelry stores.
The collection features 26 extraordinary pieces illustrating Anne Bass’s exceptional taste and appreciation for top-tier craftsmanship. Each jewel was thoughtfully selected and worn by a woman whose quiet sophistication and artistic patronage helped shape New York’s cultural landscape, cementing her legacy as one of the city’s most respected style and cultural icons.
Anne Bass Christie’s Auction Highlights: Rare Jewels and Iconic Designers
Claibourne Poindexter, Senior Specialist, Jewelry Department, Christie’s New York, says: “The jewelry collection of Anne H. Bass is a testament to impeccable taste and refinement. Each piece is a superlative example—thoughtfully selected and deeply personal. From an important pair of white diamond pendant earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels to a bold, carved ruby and emerald collar by David Webb, the collection reflects a woman of extraordinary style and discernment.
Most notably, it features one of the finest private assemblages of jewels by the legendary Joel Arthur Rosenthal, known as JAR. Many of these exceptional works are featured in the landmark 2002 publication JAR Volume I, making this sale a rare opportunity to acquire creations of profound beauty and historical importance.”
Collectors from every corner of the globe have taken notice of this auction from its inception. The collection showcases exceptional pieces from top jewelry houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Bulgari, and JAR based on both their heritage and artistic value. These pieces represent more than jewelry. They are elevated to wearable art forms.
The auction features a pair of Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Pendant Earrings as a major attraction with an expected selling price between $1.2 million and $1.8 million. Van Cleef & Arpels displays its expertise in balance and movement through these earrings that feature pear-shaped diamonds, which appear to float in midair while reflecting light from all directions.
Perhaps even more impressive, the auction features eleven extraordinary pieces by JAR, whose work is known for being avant-garde and usually limited to single editions, yet he remains a famously elusive designer. The JAR collection begins with a sapphire and emerald necklace with diamond accents valued between $200,000 and $300,000. Bass showcased her admiration for expressive design through each JAR creation, demonstrating bold artistic vision.
Anne Bass Christie’s Auction: A History-Making Event
This sale stands as both an extraordinary jewelry offering and the sustaining of a historic legacy. Anne Bass extended her influence beyond collecting by becoming a significant cultural force. Her efforts to save Texas Ballet Theatre from bankruptcy and her 25-year tenure on the New York City Ballet board created a lasting impact on American arts. Her jewelry collection reflects this same sensibility: The jewelry collection demonstrates elegance without showiness and refinement without losing personal warmth.
Running concurrently with the Magnificent Jewels sale is Anne H. Bass: The New York Interiors and Jewelry exhibition, which extends the narrative through Mark Hampton’s design of decorative arts and furnishings from her famous Manhattan apartment. Together, these auctions offer an unusually complete portrait of a woman who lived by her values and whose taste helped shape the world around her.
Anne Bass Christie’s Auction: The 2022 Auction
Anne Bass’s estate already broke records in 2022 when Christie’s sold twelve paintings, including the works of Monet, Rothko, and Degas, for $360 million. However, this jewelry sale provides deeper insight into her personal life. She carefully selected every item in this collection with deliberate consideration, and each piece reflects her distinct, understated elegance.
In a market that increasingly values provenance, this collection is unmatched—not just for the exceptional quality of the jewels themselves, but for the legacy they carry. This auction offers collectors and admirers an opportunity beyond obtaining beautiful jewels because it provides them with a chance to possess something from an extraordinary life, which was lived gracefully and generously.
