Bonhams to Sell Olympian's $3M Jewels

RAPAPORT... Bonhams will feature the jewelry collection of celebratedOlympic swimmer-turned-property mogul Katherine Domyan at its September auctionin New York. Born in Hungary, Domyan won two gold medals and set worldrecords at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, before seeking politicalasylum in the US four years later during the games in Melbourne, Australia. However, immigration quotas were filled at the time and it took a special invitation fromPresident Dwight Eisenhower to clear her move to the US. There, she married Olympicwater-polo player Arpad Domyan, whom she knew from childhood. The two created a successful real-estate development companyin their new country, enabling them to live a luxury lifestyle between NewYork, Los Angeles and Paris, according to Bonhams. They also collected more than 60 jewels throughout their56-year marriage, which the auction house has valued at between $2.1 millionand $3.2 million. Notable pieces include a Van Cleef & Arpels late ArtDeco ruby and diamond bracelet (pictured), carrying an estimate of $300,000to $500,000. A group of Harry Winston jewels, including an 86.83-caratdiamond-fringe necklace, estimated at $350,000 to $550,000, will go under thehammer, along with an emerald-cut, 21.13-carat diamond ring, with a presalevalue of $250,000 to $350,000. "The collection tells a wonderful story of an amazinglysuccessful woman and her husband, who rose to the very top of their sportingcareers and then went on to be equally successful as they built their real-estatebusiness in their new homeland of America," said Caroline Morrissey, seniorjewelry specialist at Bonhams New York. The Bonhams New York jewelry auction will take place onSeptember 21, with the auction house holding previews in Los Angeles, Genevaand New York before the sale.