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Holocaust survivor

Auction Life to sell Holocaust survivor’s estate Jan. 22

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
A 17th century oil on canvas figural rendering, attributed to the Italian painter Francisco Albani (1578-1660) measures 34 by 26 inches. Estimate: $4,000-$12,000. Auction Life image
A 17th century oil on canvas figural rendering, attributed to the Italian painter Francisco Albani (1578-1660) measures 34 by 26 inches. Estimate: $4,000-$12,000. Auction Life image

 

BOCA RATON, Fla. – A 17th century oil on canvas figural rendering attributed to the Italian painter Francisco Albani (1578-1660), with provenance from the estate of Holocaust survivor Edith Alexander (1922-2016), is estimated to sell for $4,000-$12,000 at an Auction Life auction Sunday, Jan. 22. Absentee and Interenet bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

The painting (above) shows Lucretia, a legendary figure from ancient Rome. She is depicted clad in armor, flanked by women attendants and a putti.

Edith Alexander was born Edith Reich in Czechoslovakia, the daughter of a Jewish crystal and glass merchant. She was living the life of a beautiful 21-year-old dental assistant when the Hungarians invaded during World War II. She was separated from her mother, whom she never saw again, and spent the rest of the war in forced labor at three Nazi concentration camps.

“As an auctioneer and estate buyer, it isn’t often I get the chance to get to know the collector of the items I’m auctioning, but it was a true pleasure getting to know Mrs. Alexander before she left us, to hear her life stories and her survival of such a horrific event,” said Tarek Jabaly, the owner of Auction Life, which is based in Palm Beach County. “I’m honored to feature her collection from around the world, and now offer it to the world.” Mrs. Alexander had been living in Boca Raton.

The auction has been dubbed “Third Time’s a Charm” because this will be Auction Life’s third auction and will feature a wide assortment of jewelry items, many from Mrs. Alexander’s estate. The auction will start at 1 p.m. Eastern time.

One of Mrs. Alexander’s estate items with an interesting back-story is the beautiful matching pair of bronze candelabra of remarkable detail and quality. Mrs. Alexander purchased them from none other than Mohammad Reza Pahlavi – the deposed Shah of Iran – at his Manhattan apartment. The pair is estimated to command $1,000-$10,000.

 

Pair of bronze candelabra, 34 inches high, purchased from Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the deposed Shah of Iran (est. $1,000-$10,000). Auction Life image
Pair of bronze candelabra, 34 inches high, purchased from Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the deposed Shah of Iran (est. $1,000-$10,000). Auction Life image

 

Alexander was born at around the time King Tut’s tomb was discovered. Because of that, she always fancied that she might be the reincarnation of Queen Nefertiti and had a lifelong love affair with all things Egyptian. A truly remarkable piece being sold is her 18K gold Egyptian pharaoh temple scene pendant with amazingly detailed hieroglyphics, patterns and subjects. The piece has wire-work design to the reverse and depicts a pharaoh. It should fetch $1,500-$4,500.

 

Gorgeous 18K gold Egyptian pharaoh temple scene pendant exhibiting amazingly detailed hieroglyphics, patterns and subjects (est. $1,500-$4,500). Auction Life image
Gorgeous 18K gold Egyptian pharaoh temple scene pendant exhibiting amazingly detailed hieroglyphics, patterns and subjects (est. $1,500-$4,500). Auction Life image

 

A gorgeous white jade beaded necklace and pendant and an equally stunning 14K gold jade beaded necklace and carved pendant were purchased by Alexander in China about 50 years ago and will be sold to the highest bidder. The former boasts 40 white jade beads and four pierced gold beads, connected by gold linkage (est. $500-$1,500). The latter depicts two beast in a struggle with a 14K gold bail and mount and a green beaded necklace (est. $250-$750).

In all, 300 lots will come up for bid.

For details contact AuctionLife at 561-757-1551 or email auctionlifeflorida@gmail.com.

 

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