The Legacy of Merrywood tells the story of the titular palatial estate in McLean, Virginia, both a historic structure and the childhood home of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Merrywood was purchased and subsequently renovated and expanded by Alan and Dianne Kay in 1984; the couple filled the home with a sophisticated collection of art and objects, and for eight years hosted the immensely successful annual American Cancer Society Ball at the property. The sale brings to market a selection of works that the Kays cherished and lived with during their time at Merrywood. Says Debrah Dunner, Freeman’s Washington, D.C. Regional Representative, “The beautiful and important fine art, jewelry, and decorative objects highlighted in the sale were acquired for Merrywood, and created an opulent backdrop for the countless celebrities and luminaries who routinely visited them at their unique and historic residence."
All Family and Interior Photographs Courtesy of the Kay Family
An enormously socially and politically influential couple in Washington, D.C., the Kays were fiercely dedicated to their philanthropic mission. After Alan’s younger brother died of colon cancer in 1981, the pair began co-chairing the lavish American Cancer Society Ball at Merrywood. The gala regularly attracted celebrities like Bill Clinton, Farrah Fawcett, Charles Bronson, Phyllis Diller, and many others; it raised millions of dollars and was the nation’s largest fundraiser for cancer research several years running.
“Dianne and Alan Kay were a generous and influential couple—a real estate magnate and philanthropic powerhouse, the Kays were the top of the Washington socialite scene for decades,” says Dunner. “As co-chairs of the American Cancer Society’s largest national gala, they helped raise millions of dollars for the charitable organization for six straight years. The Kays were also instrumental in the construction of The Children’s Inn, a 59-room facility on the National Institutes of Health campus that provides free housing for sick children and their families over long periods of time.”
Jewelry and Watches Featuring the Estate of Alan I and Dianne Kay
March 22 at 11 AM EST | Lots 87-194
Freeman's Jewelry and Watches auction features the collection of Dianne Kay. Leading the single-owner section is a platinum ring boasting a 9.45-carat pear-shape diamond, an anniversary gift from her husband Alan and a token to commemorate their purchase of Merrywood. Dianne Kay's beloved jewels accompanied her from board meetings to charity balls, and her collection reflects her elegant taste, comprising pieces across styles and eras. The sale includes bold, yellow gold pieces by designers such as Roberto Legnazzi, Favero, and Ilias Lalaounis; impressive necklaces, rings, and earrings set with diamonds and luscious gemstones; and several custom-made conversions with Art Deco and Art Nouveau pieces.
The Legacy of Merrywood: The Estate of Alan I and Dianne Kay
March 23 at 11 AM EST
The Legacy of Merrywood is led by Henri-Edmond Cross's Léda, a vibrant, mosaic-like oil by the French Neo-Impressionist that once belonged to the famous art gallerist Ambroise Vollard. The sale features several important, stately sculptures as well, including Pomone à la Tunique by Aristide Maillol and Man with Top Hat by Elie Nadelman. Also on offer is a drawing of a bathing nude by Henri Matisse and works on paper by Kees van Dongen and Louis Valtat. A life-sized, composite outdoor sculpture by the French couple Anne and Patrick Poirier concludes the sale.
The Legacy of Merrywood: The Estate of Alan I and Dianne Kay
March 23 at 11 AM EST
The Legacy of Merrywood puts the sophisticated collecting activities of the Kays on full display, and offers collectors the opportunity to own objects that defined the Kays’ aesthetic. Among these is a pair of George III scagliola inlaid and giltwood demilune tables that lead the sale’s furniture and design selection. The sale offers a wide selection of European furniture styles, from a William & Mary walnut cabinet and George I walnut side chair to a Regency mahogany table and Charles X oak side cabinet. Collectors will also find excellent Chinese Export lacquer furniture works, Sino-Tibetan altar ornaments, and other emblems of Gilded Age-era East-West exchange.
