In the late 1930s and 1940s, after the onset of severe financial problems, many objects from William Randolph Hearst's collections were sold both at a series of auctions and privately through dealers and even department stores. Hearst's collections were vast and varied -- ranging from medieval manuscripts to entire monastaries that were deconstructed stone by stone. Many of these were from his fabled castle at San Simeon on the California coast.

Among other pieces from Hearst's collections bought by Doris Duke is the Moorish stone fireplace which is still installed in the Living Room at Shangri La, Doris Duke's Hawaii home.