The Collection of the Queen (of Mean)

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Art from the estate of Leona Helmsley, the real estate billionaire otherwise known as the "Queen of Mean" who died last summer, will go on the block at Christie's New York this year in a series of auctions ranging from Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art (March 19th) to Important American Paintings, Drawings, and Sculpture (May 21st). One of the top lots is a jade figure of a water buffalo expected to fetch $400,000 - $600,000 in the former sale.

Helmsley infamously left her Maltese Trouble $12 million in her will. Proceeds from this sale will not further enrich the dog's trust fund, but rather the coffers of the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.

A rare large dark green jade figure of a young water buffalo, 17th/18th century, Photo Credit: Christie's Images Ltd. 2007