NEW YORK (AP) Two Mark Rothko paintings are among the objects that will be auctioned in the fall from the estate of Rachel "Bunny" Mellon, a noted horticulturist, philanthropist and heir to the Listerine fortune, Sotheby's announced Friday.
The works, which have been in the Mellon collection for more than 40 years, will be offered on Nov. 10. "Untitled (Yellow, Orange, Yellow, Light Orange)," painted in 1955, could bring up to $30 million; "Untitled" from 1970 is estimated to sell for up to $20 million.
The auction house on Friday detailed some of the 2,000 items, including jewelry and furniture, that will be sold in a series of auctions that could realize a total of more than $100 million.
Among the jewelry is a Fancy Vivid Blue pear-shaped diamond estimated to bring $10 million to $15 million on Nov. 20. Furniture and other home interior items will be sold Nov. 21-23.
Proceeds will benefit The Gerard B. Lambert Foundation, which supports The Oak Spring Garden Library in Virginia. The library houses Mellon's collection of rare books, manuscripts and works of art related to landscape design, horticulture and natural history.