BOSTON, United States – Grogan & Company, Fine Art and Jewelry Auctioneers, will offer at auction on April 27, 2025, a remarkable collection of jewelry owned by collector and philanthropist Saundra B. Lane. The collection is being sold to benefit the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA).
“It is only fitting, given Saundra and Bill Lane’s lifelong connection to and support of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, that this jewelry be sold in Boston for the benefit of the MFA. We are proud to celebrate Saundra and Bill’s legacy of philanthropy as we bring this impressive jewelry collection to auction,” says Grogan & Company President Georgina C. Winthrop.
Saundra Lane, a longtime supporter of the MFA, was celebrated for her discerning eye and her commitment to both art and philanthropy.
Alongside the extraordinary gifts of art that she and her late husband Bill Lane made to the Museum, Saundra left her jewelry collection to the MFA, with the provision that the Museum keep key pieces for the permanent collection and sell the remaining jewels to benefit the MFA’s future jewelry acquisitions.
The proceeds from this sale will be used to establish the Saundra B. Lane Fund for Jewelry, a dedicated acquisition fund at the MFA.
This fund will allow the Museum to acquire works by contemporary jewelry artists, visionary designers, and celebrated houses, expanding its already exceptional collection of jewelry.
Additionally, each acquisition made with the fund will bear Saundra Lane’s name in the credit line, ensuring her impact is felt for generations to come.
“Saundra was a true visionary and a generous philanthropist who ensured that her passion for jewelry would continue to inspire future generations,” said Dr. Emily Stoehrer, Rita J. Kaplan and Susan B. Kaplan Senior Curator of Jewelry at the MFA.
“The creation of the Saundra B. Lane Fund for Jewelry ensures that Saundra’s legacy will live on, supporting the Museum in acquiring works by contemporary jewelry artists and preserving her unparalleled collection.”
The auction, which features 97 lots, includes a selection of Saundra’s favorite pieces, many of which were gifts from her husband Bill, whose background in geology sparked his love for rare and beautiful gemstones.
Each of these pieces carried personal significance to Saundra, telling the story of love, adventure, and the rich life that she and Bill shared. From a Fancy Intense Blue Diamond ring to the unheated Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring she wore each day, Saundra’s love of color and Bill’s discerning eye for quality gemstones shines throughout the collection.
From her days visiting the Museum as a student at Simmons College to her decades serving as a Museum Trustee, Saundra considered the MFA her second home.
Her relationship with the MFA grew deeper over time, as together she and Bill amassed one of the most significant collections of American modernist art and photography.
Saundra and Bill left a lasting legacy through their historic gifts to the Museum, and the creation of the Saundra B. Lane Fund for Jewelry only strengthens this legacy.
“Saundra’s foresight and leadership have positioned the MFA to continue as a global leader in collecting jewelry,” said Karen Haas, Lane Senior Curator of Photographs at the MFA. “Her generosity has already transformed the Museum’s collections, and this jewelry auction ensures that her influence will continue to shape the Museum for years to come.”
This auction represents not only the opportunity to acquire extraordinary pieces of jewelry but also the chance to celebrate the legacy of Saundra B. Lane, whose dedication to the arts will continue to enrich Boston’s cultural landscape for decades to come.
Auction Details:
● Date: April 27, 2025 at 11 am
● Location: Grogan & Company, Fine Art and Jewelry Auctioneers, 20 Charles Street,
Boston, MA 02114
● For more information, please visit: groganco.com
