Adding to the extraordinary results of the magnificent jewels auction that achieved a record $137.2 million, the combined total from The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor, including her museum-worthy collection of haute couture and memorabilia, plus the online sale, reached a record-breaking $156.8 million at Christie’s New York, Dec. 12 to 16.

This is the most valuable sale of jewelry and fashion in auction history. “The total far exceeded Christie’s pre-sale expectations for the sale as a whole and for individual items, which were frequently hammered down for 5, 10, or even 50 times their estimate in some cases,” according to Christie’s.

During the week of auctions at Christie’s flagship Rockefeller Center saleroom, about 20 employees manned phones on one side of the room, as callers worldwide frantically competed with those present.

At the jewelry sales, for example, a 15-minute bidding battle ensued to win the sought-after pair of wedding bands belonging to Ms. Taylor and Richard Burton, whom she married on two occasions. The two rings went for $1,022,500.

The Superstar’s Wardrobe

As a young film star, Elizabeth Taylor had the opportunity to work with the finest costume designers of the day. Irene Sharaff designed the costumes for “Cleopatra.” One of those costumes, titled “Cleopatra 1963,” estimated at $10,000 to $15,000, realized $62,500 at the Christie’s sale, where it was sold to a private U.S. party.

When Sharaff later won an Academy Award for her “Cleopatra” designs, Taylor invited her to create the lovely sunflower-yellow silk chiffon dress for her first marriage to Richard Burton. The Elizabeth Taylor Trust has announced that it will donate this dress to a major American museum.

Taylor’s position as a superstar gave her entrée to the greatest names in fashion. Her wardrobe featured scores of what are now “museum-quality” ensembles by Chanel, Christian Dior, Gianfranco Ferre, Givenchy, Halston, Tiziani, Valentino, Versace, and Yves Saint Laurent, among others. Many outfits were custom made for her, and she developed friendships with many of the great designers mentioned.

One stunning item was a Christian Dior evening gown of silver-encrusted brocade with matching evening bag, which Taylor wore to Guy de Rothschild and his wife’s yearly ball in Brie, France. (The sale price was $362,500; sold to an American museum).

Versace designed the unique evening jacket called ”The Face,” which is beaded in rhinestones and displays portraits of Taylor in her most famous roles. It sold for $128,500.

Taylor’s Mission to Fight AIDS

In addition to collecting and working in films, Taylor worked ceaselessly to raise money to fight AIDS.

All sales proceeds will be directed to the Elizabeth Taylor Trust, with a portion of the profits generated by sales of exhibition tickets, event sponsorships, and the ongoing sales of select publications to be donated to The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF), states a press release.

Chris Wilding, Elizabeth Taylor’s son and member of the Elizabeth Taylor Trust, said in a press release, “My family is proud that our mother’s legacy as a celebrated actress, tireless AIDS activist, and accomplished businesswoman touched so many lives … We could not have carried out her wishes this week without the outstanding help of Christie’s.”

Diana Barth covers theater and the arts for The Epoch Times and other publications. She also writes and publishes “New Millennium, an arts publication.