D ynamic, unpredictable, and incomparable, Hester Diamond was a fearless and visionary collector. Whether through the expressive qualities of the paintings and sculpture in her apartment, the electric colors of her furniture, or in the mesmerizing patterns of the textiles she chose, each piece in her collection personifies Hester’s distinct vision and the freedom that came with being true to herself. The ability to pursue her passions with such conviction and clarity propelled Hester to build an extraordinary career as a venerated art dealer and interior designer, and to assemble important collections of Old Master paintings and sculpture, contemporary furniture, minerals, books and more. The ease in which Hester displayed art and objects across time periods demonstrated the frivolity of artificial barriers imposed among collecting categories, and she proved that they could be broken and lived with comfortably.
Fearless: The Collection of Hester Diamond Part II features Hester’s extensive collection of exquisite minerals (Lots 150 - 276) and Beastie Boys memorabilia (Lots 302 - 315) many of which are offered without reserve, modern design pieces signature to Hester’s vibrant style (Lots 277 - 301), and an assortment of Old Master paintings and sculpture art books that lined Hester’s floor to ceiling bookcases, offering a glimpse into the vast art historical knowledge that she forever chased (Lots 316 - 403). All modern design lots and art book lots are offered without reserve.
Kindly note that all of the seller’s proceeds from the Beastie Boys memorabilia lots offered in this sale will benefit the Good Eats Program.
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To the unfamiliar, a vast array of beautiful crystals may seem an unexpected addition to the Hester Diamond collection. But for the many close friends and fortunate guests whom she welcomed to her extraordinary home, this technicolor “natural art” installation became yet another indelible impression. True to her nature, Hester eschewed the notion of acquiring minerals based on matters of geology, preferring those specimens whose color and aesthetics moved her. She favored rare and significant sizes, examples that would be striking on their own. When viewed as an entire collection, they create a truly memorable, carefully designed experience. In stark contrast to showing the minerals in traditionally dark, enclosed cabinets, Hester chose to display her collection on a series of custom-made, open air shelves meticulously crafted in vivid colors that mimic the hues of the minerals. Creating a nearly 360-degree gallery within her office and spreading throughout the home, her joyful presentation welcomes the viewer in for a closer look at the complex geometries of these natural sculptures and fills the space with their vibrant color.
This exceptional selection, honored by the esteemed Mineralogical Record in a compendium of important East Coast collections, features specimens from some of the most well-known and sought-after historic sources. Ranging from rhodochrosite and smoky quartz with amazonite from the famed Colorado localities, to a large Colombian emerald crystal, numerous rare quartzes, calcites and azurites from noted discoveries, several polychrome tourmalines, and a wide variety of pyrite crystal forms amongst others; astute collectors will recognize many of the classics. Always the open-minded and curious collector, Hester’s assortment also serves as a retrospective on the many contemporary discoveries throughout Asia driving the mineral collecting world today. The important Chinese fluorite, calcite and pyromorphite finds are well represented here as well as a wide assortment from the family of beautiful Indian zeolites including vivid cavansite, delicate scolecite and impressive apophyllites. Carefully curated by her expert eye, this collection is a delight for the uninitiated admirer and serious collector alike.
All of the seller’s proceeds from the Beastie Boys memorabilia lots offered in sale N10612 will benefit the Good Eats Program (www.goodeatsprogram.org).
