When asked by Architectural Digest in 1990 — the same year she was named one of the publication's Top 100 designers — to describe her interior design style, Anne Eisenhower responded, 'Traditional, but for today's living: comfortable, with a "lived-in" look; uncluttered without appearing austere.' As known for her humble character as for her undeniable glamour, the late philanthropist and designer approached all aspects of her life with that same sense of effortless grace.

'She was the sort of person that when she walked into a room you noticed her, not because she was over the top, but because she sailed in and was simply an elegant presence,' recalls Lisa Hubbard, Christie's Jewellery Senior Advisor, who shared a decades-long friendship with Eisenhower. In addition to Anne's 'wicked sense of humour', Hubbard bonded with her over a deep appreciation for jewellery. But it was only later in life that the advisor would discover her friend's trove of treasures worn during her heyday on the New York City social scene, chockful of black-tie charity galas.

More than 30 of these jaw-dropping pieces will be featured in the Magnificent Jewels of Anne Eisenhower on 7 June during Christie's Luxury Week in New York. Hubbard expects the public to be as awestruck as she was by the collection, which brims with 'the big four' — diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds — as well as exceptional historic and contemporary jewels: 'Anne had the wherewithal to acquire incredible pieces of jewellery that once you've seen them, you never forget them.'

A remarkable family history, from the White House to New York

As the granddaughter of the 34th President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Mamie Doud Eisenhower, Anne was part of one of America's most distinguished families. The only general to be elected President in the 20th century, Dwight Eisenhower was a national war hero, who led the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe while Supreme Commander of Allied Forces during World War II.

During his two terms as President, he proved instrumental in easing Cold War tensions, as well as the creation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Interstate Highway System. Known as a 'quintessential First Lady' and 'the nation's hostess', Mamie was beloved as an enthusiastic and relatable emblem of patriotism.

Born in 1949 in West Point, New York, Anne spent much of her early childhood in the White House with her siblings. During her teenage years she travelled with her grandparents on the transatlantic ocean-liner Queen Elizabeth to Europe and met French President Charles de Gaulle. Subsequent visits abroad would introduce her to dignitaries, including former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. Anne's authentic warmth endeared her to a veritable who's who of esteemed New Yorkers and international figures.

'Unlike my [other] siblings and me, Anne had flair, a creative orientation that flourished in her work as a designer and as an artist. She was drawn not to Washington DC like the rest of us, but to the Big Apple,' Anne's sister, Susan Eisenhower, tells Christie's. 'She was a New Yorker through and through.'

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