A rare starfish-shaped brooch designed by Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) has sold for nearly $1 million with fees (£780,000) at Christie’s New York. Embellished with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and a huge cultured pearl, the brooch is now one of the most valuable pieces of jewellery by the Spanish artist to sell at auction.

Dalí was a champion of Surrealism, creating not only paintings but film, sculpture, design, and photography. In 1949, the artist partnered with New York-based jewellery manufacturer Alemany & Company to bring his revolutionary designs to life. One such piece was the magnificent Étoile de Mer brooch – a glittering starfish nestled amongst emerald branches and two attachable butterflies.

Dalí infamously held strong opinions about the jewels he designed. He once wrote that his pieces “were not conceived to rest soullessly in steel vaults. They were created to please the eye, uplift the spirit, stir the imagination, express convictions.”

On Wednesday, the iconic starfish brooch sold for $780,000 (£620,000), $982,800 with fees (£780,000), falling just below its estimate of $1 million to $1.5 million (£795,000 to £1.2 million). It seems that buyers were not only attracted by the brooch’s famous designer, but also by the glamorous American patron who once owned it, Rebekah Harkness (1915-1982). The Rhode Island socialite and ballet patron acquired a scandalous reputation throughout her life for hosting legendary parties and marrying four times.

Following the tragic death of her second husband, Standard Oil heir William Hale Harkness (1900-1954), Rebekah turned her attention to the arts. She founded the Harkness Ballet Company in 1964 to spite the Joffrey Ballet who had refused to rename their company after her, despite her substantial donations. She would often commission renowned artists to paint the backdrops for performances at her new company, including Dalí with whom she formed a lifelong friendship.

Rebekah’s fascinating life was recently brought back into the spotlight when international popstar Taylor Swift purchased her luxurious house on the coast of Rhode Island for $17 million (£13.5 million) in 2013. Nicknamed Holiday House, it became a party palace for the rich and famous under Rebekah’s ownership, much to the distaste of her wealthy neighbours. Swift became inspired whilst living in the house to write the song “the last great american dynasty” in 2020, which recalls Rebekah’s vibrant life.