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Spring Auctions Showcase Part 4: Gina Lollobrigida’s Bulgari Jewels
From flawless diamonds to fancy colors and fancy shapes, this auction season has seen many historic pieces of jewelry, with more still to come.
Gina Lollobrigida wearing the diamond necklace/bracelet combination as a tiara & the pair of emerald and diamond earclips*.
On May 14, Sotheby’s in Geneva will feature 23 important jewels of the 1950s and 1960s from the collection of Gina Lollobrigida, 13 of them, including a trophy, are from Bulgari. The majority of the pieces were worn by Miss Lollobrigida at landmark moments in her career and the Bulgari pieces were showcased in the international touring exhibition, “Bulgari – 125 Years of Italian Magnificence” from 2009-2012.
Not only a legendary Italian photojournalist and sculptor, Miss Lollobrigida starred in many Hollywood films including Beat the Devil, Trapeze, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Solomon and Sheba, Never So Few, and Come September, opposite some of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, such as Humphrey Bogart, Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, and Frank Sinatra. As a humanitarian, Miss Lollobrigida worked closely with UNICEF, UNESCO, and FAO, so it is only natural that part of the proceeds from the sale of her Bulgari jewels will go toward benefitting stem cell research.
Certain to gather great attention at the auction is a 1954 diamond necklace and bracelet combination, favored and worn by Miss Lollobrigida on numerous occasions including her acceptance of the Henrietta Award for World Film Favorite Female presented at the 1961 Golden Globes . The estimated value of this exquisite jewelry set is $300,000 to $500,000. Update: The final sale price was $783,850.
Magnificent diamond necklace-bracelet combination, Bulgari, 1954*.
Another highlight of the upcoming sale is a 1962 ring set with a cushion-shape 19.03 ct. diamond. The piece is stunning and has an estimated value of $400,000 to $800,000. Update: The final sale price was $783,850.
19.03 carat diamond ring, Bulgari, 1962*.
A pair of natural pearl and diamond pendants will also be auctioned. The pendants were often attached to the diamond ear clips mentioned below and worn by Miss Lollobrigida to many public occasions, most notably while meeting Princess Margaret at The Taming of the Shrew premiere in London in 1967. The estimated value of this pair of pendants is $600,000 to $1,000,000. Update: The final sale price was $2,391,321.
Pair of magnificent natural pearl and diamond pendants*.
Also being auctioned are three separate emerald and diamond pieces from 1964. The first is a pair of diamond ear clips,, worn with the natural pearl and diamond pendants above) with detachable emerald and diamond pendants, with an estimated value of $150,000 to $250,000. Update: The final sale price was $306,633.
Next is an emerald and diamond ring, set with a step-cut emerald weighing 16.62 cts. surrounded by two rows of brilliant-cut diamonds, is set to be auctioned with an estimated value of $120,000 to $180,000. Update: The final sale price was $181,049.
Finally, an emerald and diamond brooch, set with a step-cut emerald weighing 27.57 cts., estimated to sell between $150,000 and $200,000.
Emerald and diamond pieces from 1964*.
Do you have a case of spring auction fever? Check out our Spring Auctions Showcase series to admire some of the other majestic jewels making appearances at auction houses this year: Fancy Color Pieces, Fancy Shapes in Necklaces, or Flawless Diamonds.
*Jewels from the collection of Gina Lollobrigida. Images courtesy of Sotheby’s.