'Cleopatra' cape gets good price

A gold cape worn by screen icon Elizabeth Taylor in the 1963 film Cleopatra sold at auction for $59375 in Dallas on Friday.

The cape had been wrapped in tissue and stored in a cedar closet for years, the female owner of the garment told officials at Heritage Auctions.

The owner, who asked not to be identified, said her mother had acquired the cape after the film's premiere.

The cape was designed to resemble the wings of a Phoenix. It is constructed of gold painted leather with hand-stitched gold beads and sequins. Taylor wore it in two scenes in the movie. The cape was expected to sell for $20000 at auction.