A Vision of Luxury: The Michelle Smith Collection Online sale features an array of highly sophisticated and collectible jewels, including covetable pieces by the famed Munich jewelry house, Hemmerle, as well as bold, gold pieces in classic designs by legendary firms such as Bulgari, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and Buccellati. Super chic and wearable contemporary designs by Sidney Garber and Mark Davis are also on offer, along with a unique collection of Silver & Native American Jewelry by famed designer Charles Loloma and his niece, Sinwai. The collection also boasts an encyclopedic collection of handbags and accessories by Hermès, including the label’s iconic Kelly and Birkin designs, in a wide variety of colors and finishes, perfect for new and existing collectors alike. Additional highlights include elegant furniture and decorative arts from the Art Deco and mid-century periods as well as contemporary custom-made furniture designed by David Kleinberg Design Associates. Displaying great variety in form and material, this superb selection of high-quality design, jewelry and handbags embodies Michelle Smith’s discerning eye and timeless taste as a collector and a connoisseur.
Michelle Smith was a trailblazing businesswoman, arts patron and philanthropist. The daughter of the late renowned businessman and philanthropist Robert H. Smith and artist Clarice Smith, she became one of the Washington D.C. area’s most respected figures, known for her generous spirit, exacting eye and fierce dedication to championing myriad artistic, cultural and health organizations, as well as educational institutions. Michelle brought to life her passion for art, architecture and design in her stunning penthouse apartment at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, where true to her background in real estate and visionary spirit, she undertook a multi-year development in transforming two separate and raw living spaces into the impeccably appointed home that showcased the breadth of her timeless collection. Read on about the life and legacy of Michelle Smith as told by James Reginato, writer-at-large for Vanity Fair and author of Great Houses, Modern Aristocrats (Rizzoli).
A Vision of Luxury: The Michelle Smith Collection Online presents a variety of chic furnishings from the Smith penthouse. These pieces were thoughtfully selected to complement Michelle Smith’s outstanding art and design collection offered in the 22 April 2021 live auction. Their refined elegance and comfort give these classic forms broad appeal and functionality in a variety of settings.
Michelle Smith’s vision is epitomized in her jewelry collection, telling the story of a woman who, when she decided she liked a certain style or maker, explored and collected in depth. Assembled over the course of decades, the collection features impressive jewels from some of the world’s most lauded and established firms, including Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Bulgari, Suzanne Belperron, and René Boivin, as well as contemporary masters such as Hemmerle and Graff. Her jewelry spoke to her style and grace and serves as a natural extension of the highly curated and refined aesthetic she applied to her collections of Fine Art and Design.
Guided by her passion and discerning eye, Michelle Smith amassed a collection of luxury handbags by the famed French leather goods brand Hermès that are as elegant, sophisticated, and eclectic as the collector herself, with the same commitment to excellence that resonated across every area of her life. Each meticulously maintained handbag reflects Michelle’s affinity for unique and sophisticated textures and colors. Her encyclopedic collection includes the brand’s most iconic styles such as the Birkin, Kelly, Jige and Kelly Pochette, each handcrafted in the most luxurious materials including rare crocodile and alligator skin, Togo, Clemence and Swift leathers, in a variety of understated yet elegant hues. With estimates as low as $5,000, Michelle’s carefully curated collection will appeal to both new and seasoned collectors alike.
