Barbara Walters: American Icon – Specialist’s Top 5 Picks

Barbara Walters’ New York home was filled with personal and professional mementoes celebrating her life and career.

Anna Hicks, Head of Department for Furniture and Decorative Arts, highlights five treasured items from Walter’s collection and the stories behind them—from her engraved jewelry box from NBC to a cast of her beloved Maltese dog. Lots will be offered in two sales: Barbara Walters: American Icon Online, running from October 29 – November 7, and the live auction Barbara Walters: American Icon on November 6 in New York.

Lot 1177

A 14k Gold and Malachite Jewelry Box

This 14k gold and malachite box is not only a charming decorative item but holds enormous significance in the marking of Walters's career.

Featuring the engraving “To Barbara / Love June 3, 1976 / TODAY”, it was presented to Walters on her last day as host of the TODAY show, in appreciation of her time at NBC. She had joined TODAY’s staff in 1961 and eventually became co-host in 1974, making history as the first woman on an American news program to hold that position. An unassuming trinket, this box represents a historical and cultural moment of American broadcasting.

Lot 1188

An Oscar De La Renta Green Velvet Burn Out Dress

Oscar de la Renta was the designer of choice for powerful, dynamic women. He dressed many First Ladies, including Jacqueline Kennedy, Nancy Reagan, and Michelle Obama. Walters was among one of his most devoted clients and friends, attending his fashion shows and eventually his funeral in 2014.

This green velvet gown was designed by de la Renta and worn by Walters to the 2007 Museum of Television & Radio's Annual Gala at the Waldorf Hotel in New York. She paired the stunning dress with her signature magenta-pink pops of color, with a floral ruby and diamond brooch and earrings.

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Lot 1110

An Acrylic Vanity Chair and Mirror Set

At first glance, this acrylic mirror and chair set is an insignificant furniture pairing, but they take on a special significance as they were used every day by Walters.

This chair and small mirror are where she sat to do her hair and makeup. While there is no record of where these items were acquired, they were most likely purchased early in her career, and stayed in her home through the years. The clear acrylic renders them as “invisible” items that can be added seamlessly to any room, just as they sat in Walters's stunning, red-walled sitting room.

Lot 118

A Group of 15 Desk Articles

The opportunity to own the items which surrounded Walters's workspace is the opportunity to own the tools of one of television’s most indefatigable personas.

These include a monogramed calendar frame; a monogrammed sterling silver pen, awarded to her as a Humanitarian Award in 1980; a pair of silver-plated notepad covers, one which was given to Walters on the 15th anniversary with ABC News; a dictionary; and a compact. The items are both cultural icons and the simple desk articles of a working woman, whose every facet of her life was infused with elegance.

Lot 121

A Composite Cast Of A Maltese Dog

When Walters made a donation of an original marble sculpture of a Maltese dog by 18th century artist Anne Damer to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, naturally her much beloved and celebrated Havanese dog, Cha-Cha, was named as the benefactor.

The Met provided Walters with this cast of the sculpture to thank her (and Cha-Cha) for the donation. The cast was displayed in her sitting room and surely was a sweet reminder of her canine companion.

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Barbara Walters: American Icon

November 6, 2023 | New York
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Barbara Walters: American Icon Online

October 29 – November 7, 2023 | Online
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