Accessories - General

Accessories take virtually every conceivable form, from those created for strict utility such as everyday reading glasses to pieces born out of pure extravagance like jeweled crowns worn by royalty. Whether rooted in practical simplicity or opulent glamour, vintage accessories tell the stories of past owners, offer a window into history, and provide fuel for many a collector's obsession.

For some, accessories are the co-stars of the fashion world, playing second fiddle to clothing and apparel items. Their sole purpose is to pull together a look and add just the right finishing touches. For others, accessories not only communicate pulled-together polish, they allow for an individual expression of taste.

There are accessories auctions with something for every collectible inclination. Auctions range from items of broad interest like the personal possessions of celebrities and notable public figures to objects appealing to collectors of things arcane.

Quick Facts

• A pair of opera glasses used by Abraham Lincoln when he was assassinated at Ford's Theatre in 1865 went under the hammer in 2011 and set a record: $424,000
• A diamond-encrusted tiara given to Elizabeth Taylor by her husband Mike Todd sold at a 2011 Christie's auction for $4.2 million, more than 50 times its high estimate
• In August 2015, Graceland Auctions sold an Elvis Presley-owned silver metal set of monogrammed cufflinks and tie tack made by Sarah Coventry for $4,500