Over thirty years after the passing of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the precious and exclusive belongings of the First Lady return to the public at auction. Many of these intimate masterpieces come directly from the famous artistic legacy of Maurice Tempelsman, revealing an extraordinary story of love, art and collecting.
A historic auction of Jackie Onassis’s items at Sotheby’s New York
The sale event, titled “A Marvelous Journey“, will be held next June 24 in New York. The highly anticipated Sotheby’s auction will feature a wide range of artworks, antiquities, furniture, and rare books accumulated by the famous philanthropist during his lifetime.
However, the relationship blossomed in 1975, after the passing of her second husband, Aristotle Onassis. The two had met when Jacqueline was married to John F. Kennedy. They later cemented a lasting bond celebrated even at the gala of the New York Public Library in 1986.
The masterpieces of art and archaeology in the catalog
Among the main lots stands out an ancient bust of Aphrodite in Greek alabaster, which Onassis called her treasure in her will. Sculpted in the style of the 5th century BC, the heirloom was displayed at the White House during the Kennedy administration before she bequeathed it to Tempelsman in 1994.
Additionally, the event features an intimate portrait by Aaron Shikler from 1968, titled “Mrs. Onassis on Couch, Book in Lap”. Compared to the solemnity of presidential portraits, this more informal composition offers a fascinating glimpse into Jacqueline’s private life.
The personal gifts and artistic legacy
The collection of Maurice Tempelsman includes personal gifts of deep emotional value. Notable is a Cartier Tank Louis watch with the autograph engraving “For Maurice, Love J.” from Onassis. There is also a set of cufflinks by Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. with the love note “I Love You”.
That said, the auction will include a watercolor signed “Botticelli by me!” on the back, painted by Jacqueline and inspired by the famous Venus. This playful lot testifies to an intimate love shared with Tempelsman, born in Antwerp in 1929 and passed away last year at ninety-five. Having fled the Nazi occupation to New York, he established himself in the global diamond market.
Similarly, Tempelsman distinguished himself as a philanthropist in institutions such as the Africa-America Institute, the National Democratic Institute, and the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University. He always considered his works as a temporary heritage, ultimately destined to inspire new generations.
Overall, the collection of Maurice Tempelsman represents a unique heritage, synonymous with a timeless intellectual and aesthetic understanding. The historic auction house emphasized the privilege of being able to share the beauty of these lots with the public, as summarized in the table below.
| Heirloom at Auction | Type of Object | Sale Estimate (USD) |
| Bust of Aphrodite | Greek alabaster sculpture | $7,000 – $10,000 |
| Cartier Tank Louis Watch | Wristwatch with engraving | $10,000 – $15,000 |
| Watercolor by Jacqueline Onassis | Original autograph drawing | $5,000 – $7,000 |
As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Cryptonomist and Econique.
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