The British Ambassador Invites in DC's Rich to Peruse @bonhams1793

UP FOR SALE AT THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR'S BUT NOT HIS RIDE

Bonham's Auctioneers were in town tonight to show off their wares at the British Ambassador's residence. A really, really nice party for those who still have some meat in their bank accounts. Increasingly, I know fewer and fewer people who do have. But that doesn't prevent ogling. Tonight they were there -- rich people. In every which direction. The exhibition of items to be auctioned -- in New York and London -- included paintings by Andrew Wyeth, works by Picasso and Chuck Close, jewelry from Van Cleef and Schlumberger, and the delicate and exquisite robe of a Chinese princess. The estimates on every item were in the thousands of dollars, and in some instances hundreds of thousands. 

A JEWELED SEAHORSE FROM SCHLUMBERGER

It was impressive but also strangely out of synch on the night of a debate in a presidential election that is a dead heat - due to the economy. No fault of the Brits or Bonhams. I'm sure this date was set long before the debate dates were decided. In fact, I was talking with someone from the Philips Collection, who said she was trying to schedule a party with a certain Euro embassay for next fall. But no response. I asked if maybe that had something to do with what I'm told, that the ambassador plans to head back to his home country in June. Who knows? Who cares?

THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR'S DRAWING ROOM. ONE OF THE PRETTIEST IN DC.

It was an interesting party on a lovely evening and especially wonderful to be out on the terrace, over looking the incredible English rose garden and the half moon hanging overhead, as if pre-booked by the Social Secretary, Amanda Downes. She does things like that. My date and I were going to head over to the Metropolitan Club for dinner, but the British snacks were so good -- quail eggs, smoked salmon, truffle macaroons -- we decided to call it a night. Well, not entirely. I still plan to work out a little and watch some Monday Night Football and sneak a few at the debate, but with the sound OFF and closed captioning ON.