Christie’s to Auction Iris Apfel’s Iconic Jewelry

By Annie Davidson Watson | January 13, 2025

Colorful bangles, highly embellished necklaces, turquoise jewels, and, of course, eyeglasses are among the personal possessions of late style icon Iris Apfel set for a Christie’s online auction starting later this month.

Christie’s “Unapologetically Iris: The Collection of Iris Apfel” sale will be open for bidding from Jan. 28 to Feb. 13. It will feature a diverse selection of items, including designer clothing, jewelry, tableware, furniture, and artwork.

Dubbed “the matriarch of maximalism” by the BBC after her death last March at the age of 102, Apfel was renowned for her flamboyant fashion and vibrant accessories, most notably her oversize eyewear.

The Queens, N.Y.–born Apfel developed a lifelong passion for style and collecting. She worked as an interior designer and, with her husband, Carl, founded Old World Weavers, a textile company that reproduced antique fabrics for prominent people and institutions, including the White House.

Her audacious and eclectic style often involved stacks of bangles, statement necklaces, and extra large cocktail rings. Apfel fearlessly combined colors, patterns, and sizes, blending high and low fashion. A 2005 exhibition at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art showcasing Apfel’s extensive collection of clothing and accessories solidified her status as a fashion icon.

Apfel viewed jewelry not as mere adornment but as an extension of her personality: bold and distinctly individual. Several lots of multiple bangles, many in lucite, and of assorted necklaces and other jewelry will be in the Christie’s auction, along with the highlights below.