Anne Eisenhower's spectacular jewellery collection | Christie's

Marlene Dietrich’s iconic Van Cleef & Arpels ruby and diamond bracelet stars in the collection of the late philanthropist, interior designer and granddaughter of Dwight D. Eisenhower

When asked by Architectural Digest in 1990 — the same year she was named one of the publication’s Top 100 designers — to describe her interior design style, Anne Eisenhower responded, ‘Traditional, but for today’s living: comfortable, with a “lived-in” look; uncluttered without appearing austere.’ As known for her humble character as for her undeniable glamour, the late philanthropist and designer approached all aspects of her life with that same sense of effortless grace.

She was the sort of person that when she walked into a room you noticed her, not because she was over the top, but because she sailed in and was simply an elegant presence,’ recalls Lisa Hubbard, Christie’s Jewellery Senior Advisor, who shared a decades-long friendship with Eisenhower. In addition to Anne’s ‘wicked sense of humour’, Hubbard bonded with her over a deep appreciation for jewellery. But it was only later in life that the advisor would discover her friend’s trove of treasures worn during her heyday on the New York City social scene, chockful of black-tie charity galas.

More than 30 of these jaw-dropping pieces will be featured in the Magnificent Jewels of Anne Eisenhower on 7 June during Christie’s Luxury Week in New York. Hubbard expects the public to be as awestruck as she was by the collection, which brims with ‘the big four’ — diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds — as well as exceptional historic and contemporary jewels: ‘Anne had the wherewithal to acquire incredible pieces of jewellery that once you’ve seen them, you never forget them.’