Unconventional socialite's lifetime collection headlining sale

NEW ORLEANS (April 29, 2014) – On May 17-18, New Orleans Auction Galleries will offer items from the lifetime collection of New Orleans socialite Mickey Easterling in a two-day

20th century Chinese porcelain chicken tureens may see $1,200 at auction. (Photo courtesy New Orleans Auction Galleries)

auction. Her items will be featured alongside property from several other important estates and private collections from across the country.

Items from her estate include fine art, an impressive selection of tortoiseshell boxes and accessories, Imari porcelain, carpets, French and Italian antique furniture, contemporary lighting, numerous items from her trips to Morocco and more. Easterling’s collection also includes an unusual contemporary glass-topped garden table with a bronze figural base depicting her lounging in the nude wearing a hat, heels and smoking a cigarette (Lot 807). When asked about the table, she once remarked that this depiction of her, “…is the quintessential me.” The table was prominently placed on the poolside patio of her Lakefront home.

Known as one of the most colorful and iconic figures in the New Orleans social scene, Easterling’s parties were as outrageous as her personality and trademark hats. She frequently hosted fundraisers in her Lakefront mansion, raising funds for politicians and charities like the March of Dimes, the New Orleans Easter Seals Society and Children’s Hospital New Orleans. She was also a committed patron of the arts, supporting local institutions like the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, New Orleans

Victorian Sterling Silver-Mounted Cut Glass Claret Jug, hallmarked London, 1895-1896, with a cylindrical cane-cut glass body with broadly-flared base; the silver collar mounted with an intricately embossed silver "vintage" motif collar with Bacchus masques, the hinged lid with figural rampant lion and shield, carries a presale estimate of $1,000 to $1,5000. (Photo courtesy New Orleans Auction Galleries)

Museum of Art, New Orleans Opera, the Saenger Theater and the theater department at Loyola University. Easterling undoubtedly left a significant and lasting impact on the civic, political, cultural and social spheres of New Orleans.

Easterling passed away on April 14 and recently made headlines for her memorial service at the Saenger Theater in New Orleans, which featured her seated on a bench complete with a fabulous hat and electric pink boa, cigarette in one hand and a glass of champagne in the other.

“Mickey was eccentric and audacious; she lived every minute with uncompromising self-confidence. We are honored to handle such an eclectic collection from such a remarkable woman,” said Susan D. Krohn, CEO of New Orleans Auction Galleries.

To view the full catalogue, sign up to bid or learn more about New Orleans Auction Galleries, visit NewOrleansAuction.com. New Orleans Auction offers in-room, telephone, absentee and live online bidding through Invaluable and LiveAuctioneers. The gallery, located at 510 Julia Street in New Orleans, is open for exhibition from May 3 to May 16, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, excluding Sundays and there will be an evening reception held on Thursday, May 15, from 5 to 8 p.m. The auction begins on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18 at 10 a.m.