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Lot Essay
A woman of glamour and generosity, Lucille Coleman was a true icon of elegance.
A revered New York philanthropist, Lucille was warmly regarded by all who knew her as profoundly generous and kind spirited. Alongside her husband of 45 years, Lucille championed the causes and communities most important to her.
Born in Poland in 1930, Lucille developed resilience at an early age. As Hitler’s power expanded across Europe, Lucille’s mother, Rose Gordon, urged the family to leave Warsaw and seek refuge from the Nazi regime. Leaving behind status and financial stability, the family was forced to begin again. New York City provided Lucille’s family the new start they needed and proved to be the place where her father, Samson Gordon, would amass a fortune in the real estate industry. Lucille’s set of ethics, grounded in hard work and community, instilled in her by her parents, would inspire a life dedicated to giving back to the city that shaped her.
Lucille’s beloved husband, Milton Coleman, grew up across town in Harlem. The couple’s love began in true New York fashion—meeting by chance while out to lunch with friends at the iconic Cafè des Artistes at 1 West 67th Street.
Her husband recalled fondly his infatuation from “the moment when I first laid eyes on her.” Over their many decades together, the couple traveled widely across Asia and Europe. They were described by those who knew them as deeply in love and happiest in each other’s company. Alongside her husband, Lucille cared deeply about the causes she supported.
New York Presbyterian benefited greatly from the Colemans' generosity. “The primary reason we donated to the Hospital is because we love our doctors there. But also, it makes us feel good to give,” the couple said.
The Lucille and Milton Coleman Tower, a residential complex with over 20 floors, was named in their honor and continues to house hospital physicians and staff. The Colemans were also heavily involved with their synagogue and several Jewish causes. Their late rabbi referred to them as “a quiet, gentle, and unassuming couple… dedicated to the greatest values of communal responsibility and institutional loyalty.”
In addition to philanthropy, Lucille built an impressive collection of jewelry. She had an eye for quality, as demonstrated through each piece carefully selected for her exquisite jewelry collection. Comprised primarily of jewels by Van Cleef & Arpels, Lucille’s carefully collected assemblage of jewels is nothing short of exceptional. With a particular emphasis on iconic designs by the renowned French house, including one of the most important groupings of ‘Mystery-Set’ jewels ever offered for auction, the magnificent jewels of Lucille Coleman present an opportunity for collectors to acquire pieces from a true arbiter of style and grace.
In addition to her jewelry collection, Lucille had a sense of sophistication and classicism when collecting art, furniture and sculptures.
Of the Colemans' collection of fine art, Christie’s is pleased to feature a whimsical sculpture by the beloved Colombian artist, Fernando Botero, in our much-anticipated fall sale of Post-War and Contemporary art—a true testament to Lucille’s keen eye for quality across all categories. Works from The Estate of Lucille Coleman will be presented at DOYLE in New York through a series of sales to showcase her collection’s range. Highlights will be offered in a dedicated single-owner auction, with additional works featured in category-specific sales—including Important Paintings and Asian Works of Art. The auctions will begin in September 2025 and continue through December.
As an enduring tribute to how Lucille Coleman lived her life, the proceeds from her estate are offered with the intent to benefit charitable causes in New York, continuing her legacy and philanthropic spirit in the city she loved most.
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“Classic taste with a twist” is how Lucille Coleman always used to describe herself.
Iconic Van Cleef & Arpels Mystery Set pieces are a must for every important jewelry collection, but rarely are they exclusively collected like in this wonderful ensemble. Mrs. Coleman never enjoyed wearing bracelets or necklaces except for her signature Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra long sautoir which she had in every color and material. She did not want jewelry to overpower her but considered the use of it just to finish a look, and mystery set pieces precisely fulfilled this purpose.
Amongst the many pieces I helped her acquire was a very charming flag brooch from 1955 which was one of the last pieces she purchased. The piece is in sapphire with an M in ruby for “Milton,” the name of her beloved husband. The brooch was originally a special order, with the M representing the name of the owner’s Yacht. I was always very careful with the pieces I selected for her as I knew her taste so well. I was sure she would love this small flag as it was an exquisite piece -- and I was right.
I met Mrs. Coleman just before the Sybil Harrington sale in 1999 when I was working at Christie’s in NY. I had seen the Harrington jewels in our office, but they were still in Christie’s safe, and the sale not yet announced. Upon our first meeting, Mrs. Coleman described her taste, and I knew immediately that she would enjoy several pieces from the Harrington collection. I ran to the safe and selected some brooches and ear clips for her to try. She loved them and told me she wanted them. When Mrs. Coleman wanted something, the price was never a limitation; and when I was phone bidding with her, I just kept my hand up (which ultimately became a joke in the auction room). Even when she won the pieces she wanted, she worried that she was not the successful bidder and asked me to keep bidding! My interactions with her over the Sybil Harrington jewels initiated a great friendship, which continued for over 20 years as I helped her build this collection.
Mrs. Coleman witnessed the history of the 20th century. She was born in Poland to a wealthy family who lost everything during the German invasion. Her father, always very optimistic, did not want to leave, and it was her mother who pushed the family to settle in the United States after an epic journey through Russia and Japan. Very quickly her father rebuilt the family fortune in real estate in New York. They moved to Park Avenue and started vacationing at the Carlton in Cannes, where she faithfully stayed until near the end of her life. She was one of their oldest clients and was always welcomed like a queen. She loved her parents, and when she got married she settled on Park Avenue as well, just two blocks south of them. It was her mother who introduced her to Van Cleef & Arpels; after which Mrs. Coleman started making her first purchases -- from the New York store as well as Palm Beach where she once owned an apartment.
Mrs. Coleman was a true New Yorker who made me love the city. She knew every corner and preferred walking everywhere. She could take you for dinner at a very fancy restaurant one week and to a diner on the lower eastside the next. I never knew what to expect. She was always surrounded by a group of faithful lifelong friends with whom she celebrated holidays and vacationed.
This collection is a tribute to Mrs. Coleman, her life and her taste. As sad as it can be to see it dispersed, most pieces came from other prestigious collections and will now move on to their next phase of life as witness of the inalienable style and quality of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry.
Nicolas Luchsinger
CEO Buccellati
A revered New York philanthropist, Lucille was warmly regarded by all who knew her as profoundly generous and kind spirited. Alongside her husband of 45 years, Lucille championed the causes and communities most important to her.
Born in Poland in 1930, Lucille developed resilience at an early age. As Hitler’s power expanded across Europe, Lucille’s mother, Rose Gordon, urged the family to leave Warsaw and seek refuge from the Nazi regime. Leaving behind status and financial stability, the family was forced to begin again. New York City provided Lucille’s family the new start they needed and proved to be the place where her father, Samson Gordon, would amass a fortune in the real estate industry. Lucille’s set of ethics, grounded in hard work and community, instilled in her by her parents, would inspire a life dedicated to giving back to the city that shaped her.
Lucille’s beloved husband, Milton Coleman, grew up across town in Harlem. The couple’s love began in true New York fashion—meeting by chance while out to lunch with friends at the iconic Cafè des Artistes at 1 West 67th Street.
Her husband recalled fondly his infatuation from “the moment when I first laid eyes on her.” Over their many decades together, the couple traveled widely across Asia and Europe. They were described by those who knew them as deeply in love and happiest in each other’s company. Alongside her husband, Lucille cared deeply about the causes she supported.
New York Presbyterian benefited greatly from the Colemans' generosity. “The primary reason we donated to the Hospital is because we love our doctors there. But also, it makes us feel good to give,” the couple said.
The Lucille and Milton Coleman Tower, a residential complex with over 20 floors, was named in their honor and continues to house hospital physicians and staff. The Colemans were also heavily involved with their synagogue and several Jewish causes. Their late rabbi referred to them as “a quiet, gentle, and unassuming couple… dedicated to the greatest values of communal responsibility and institutional loyalty.”
In addition to philanthropy, Lucille built an impressive collection of jewelry. She had an eye for quality, as demonstrated through each piece carefully selected for her exquisite jewelry collection. Comprised primarily of jewels by Van Cleef & Arpels, Lucille’s carefully collected assemblage of jewels is nothing short of exceptional. With a particular emphasis on iconic designs by the renowned French house, including one of the most important groupings of ‘Mystery-Set’ jewels ever offered for auction, the magnificent jewels of Lucille Coleman present an opportunity for collectors to acquire pieces from a true arbiter of style and grace.
In addition to her jewelry collection, Lucille had a sense of sophistication and classicism when collecting art, furniture and sculptures.
Of the Colemans' collection of fine art, Christie’s is pleased to feature a whimsical sculpture by the beloved Colombian artist, Fernando Botero, in our much-anticipated fall sale of Post-War and Contemporary art—a true testament to Lucille’s keen eye for quality across all categories. Works from The Estate of Lucille Coleman will be presented at DOYLE in New York through a series of sales to showcase her collection’s range. Highlights will be offered in a dedicated single-owner auction, with additional works featured in category-specific sales—including Important Paintings and Asian Works of Art. The auctions will begin in September 2025 and continue through December.
As an enduring tribute to how Lucille Coleman lived her life, the proceeds from her estate are offered with the intent to benefit charitable causes in New York, continuing her legacy and philanthropic spirit in the city she loved most.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
“Classic taste with a twist” is how Lucille Coleman always used to describe herself.
Iconic Van Cleef & Arpels Mystery Set pieces are a must for every important jewelry collection, but rarely are they exclusively collected like in this wonderful ensemble. Mrs. Coleman never enjoyed wearing bracelets or necklaces except for her signature Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra long sautoir which she had in every color and material. She did not want jewelry to overpower her but considered the use of it just to finish a look, and mystery set pieces precisely fulfilled this purpose.
Amongst the many pieces I helped her acquire was a very charming flag brooch from 1955 which was one of the last pieces she purchased. The piece is in sapphire with an M in ruby for “Milton,” the name of her beloved husband. The brooch was originally a special order, with the M representing the name of the owner’s Yacht. I was always very careful with the pieces I selected for her as I knew her taste so well. I was sure she would love this small flag as it was an exquisite piece -- and I was right.
I met Mrs. Coleman just before the Sybil Harrington sale in 1999 when I was working at Christie’s in NY. I had seen the Harrington jewels in our office, but they were still in Christie’s safe, and the sale not yet announced. Upon our first meeting, Mrs. Coleman described her taste, and I knew immediately that she would enjoy several pieces from the Harrington collection. I ran to the safe and selected some brooches and ear clips for her to try. She loved them and told me she wanted them. When Mrs. Coleman wanted something, the price was never a limitation; and when I was phone bidding with her, I just kept my hand up (which ultimately became a joke in the auction room). Even when she won the pieces she wanted, she worried that she was not the successful bidder and asked me to keep bidding! My interactions with her over the Sybil Harrington jewels initiated a great friendship, which continued for over 20 years as I helped her build this collection.
Mrs. Coleman witnessed the history of the 20th century. She was born in Poland to a wealthy family who lost everything during the German invasion. Her father, always very optimistic, did not want to leave, and it was her mother who pushed the family to settle in the United States after an epic journey through Russia and Japan. Very quickly her father rebuilt the family fortune in real estate in New York. They moved to Park Avenue and started vacationing at the Carlton in Cannes, where she faithfully stayed until near the end of her life. She was one of their oldest clients and was always welcomed like a queen. She loved her parents, and when she got married she settled on Park Avenue as well, just two blocks south of them. It was her mother who introduced her to Van Cleef & Arpels; after which Mrs. Coleman started making her first purchases -- from the New York store as well as Palm Beach where she once owned an apartment.
Mrs. Coleman was a true New Yorker who made me love the city. She knew every corner and preferred walking everywhere. She could take you for dinner at a very fancy restaurant one week and to a diner on the lower eastside the next. I never knew what to expect. She was always surrounded by a group of faithful lifelong friends with whom she celebrated holidays and vacationed.
This collection is a tribute to Mrs. Coleman, her life and her taste. As sad as it can be to see it dispersed, most pieces came from other prestigious collections and will now move on to their next phase of life as witness of the inalienable style and quality of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry.
Nicolas Luchsinger
CEO Buccellati