Dianne Feinstein’s Diamonds, Art, Memorabilia To Be Sold At LA Auction

LOS ANGELES, CA — Nearly a year after her death, a collection of Sen. Dianne Feinstein's personal belongings are being auctioned off in Los Angeles this week.

A selection of her large art collection, furniture, memorabilia from her career and more than 70 pieces of jewelry the pioneering politician wore to high-profile events will be up for bidding on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at Bonhams.

While Bonhams will hold the one-day in-person auction, some jewelry has been available for online bidding since Oct. 1. Another online auction will put selected works of art once owned by her late husband Richard Blum online from Oct. 14 to Oct. 24, according to Bonhams.

Feinstein, a democrat, served as a U.S. Senator from 1992 until she died in 2023 at age 90, making her the longest-serving female senator in history. She also served as the first female mayor of San Francisco from 1978 to 1988.

"She would be delighted to know that her treasured pieces will be just as cherished and cared for by those whose lives she touched, and who admired her as a pioneering woman in politics," the late senator's daughter, Katherine Feinstein, said.

Among the most valuable items is her 4.14-carat diamond ring flanked by tapered baguette diamonds, estimated to fetch bids between $45,000 to $65,000.

During her time as a prominent politician, Feinstein frequently hosted parties at her home in San Francisco, where her furnishings featured Renaissance and Baroque styles with gilt accents and intricately carved inlaid designs, according to a release from Bonhams.

Her home also held a large collection of Chinese and Japanese art. Being auctioned off this week is a Chinese-painted pottery figure of a court lady from the Tang Dynasty, which is estimated to garner bids of $8,000 to $12,000.

Her homes also displayed art from prominent American artists. Among the auction's notable artisan highlights include "Ships Sailing in the San Francisco Bay with Fort Point in the Distance," a 1907 piece by William Alexander Coulter. It could fetch some $70,000 to $100,000.

Feinstein also hung onto political memorabilia from her long career, including a framed letter from Jimmy Carter, which is dated 1990.

In the letter, the former president offered his sympathy for Feinstein's electoral loss in the 1990 race for California governor.

"Rosalynn & I thought that 1980 was a tragedy for us, but our lives since then have been more full, productive, & enjoyable than we ever dreamed," he wrote.

The letter is expected to sell for between $800 to $1,200.

The most recent political item is an signed photo from President Joe Biden.

"Diane – In all my years in public life I've never met anyone with whom I would rather work. You are insightful, generous and effective – and all at the same time. I love working with you and being your friend. Joe," he wrote.

The photo is expected to draw $800 to $1,200 bids.

Among the cheapest items is a parcel gilt and painted U.S. senate desk chair, which could be sold for $300 to $500.

To check out more of the late senator's items, click this link.

Registration for "Legacy of a Stateswoman" is open for the auction at Bonhams, 7601 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, which begins at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Register to bid here.