Property from actress Joan Fontaine’s Carmel home to be auctioned

Items from the California home of Academy Award-winning actress Joan Fontaine will be auctioned in New York between November and January.

Fontaine’s 1941 Oscar for best actress in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Suspicion” is among the highlights. Christie’s says it could bring $200,000 to $300,000 Dec. 11.

Fontaine died in December at her home in Carmel. She was 96.

The 104 lots of fine art, silver, lighting, furniture and jewelry will be spread over several sales. They could realize more than $1 million. The entire proceeds will benefit the SPCA for Monterey County. The auctioneer says a 1935 painting by Marc Chagall, “Vase of Flowers in the Window,” could sell for $400,000 to $600,000 on Nov. 6.

“Joan had deep compassion for animals,” said SPCA Board President Sherrie McCullough. “She adopted her three beloved dogs from the SPCA and was incredibly supportive of our work to rescue injured, homeless, and abused pets. We hope her caring example inspires others to consider the SPCA in their estate plans.”

The SPCA plans to dedicate an adoption wing of the new SPCA Adoption Center to Fontaine’s memory.

Fontaine first gained stardom in 1940 in Hitchcock’s “Rebecca,” earning her the first of three Oscar nominations. She also is the sister of actress Olivia de Havilland. The sisters are the only siblings to have won lead acting Academy Awards.