SOTHEBY'S GENEVA TO OFFER

Part of the Proceeds from the Sale of Bulgari Masterpieces from the 1950s and 1960s will Benefit Stem Cell Research 

Sotheby’s Geneva is honoured to announce that it will offer 22 outstanding jewels from the Collection of the legendary actress, artist and philanthropist Gina Lollobrigida in its Magnificent jewels and Noble Jewels Sale on 14th May 2013. The auction will feature important Bulgari jewels from the 1950s and 1960s, worn by Miss Lollobrigida at landmark moments in her career and which were highlights of the international touring exhibition, Bulgari – 125 Years of Italian Magnificence in 2009-2012. Highlights include a pair of natural pearl and diamond pendant earrings made in 1964 (est. $600,000-1,000,000), a 19.03 carat diamond ring, circa 1962 (est. $600,000-1,000,000) and a 1954 diamond necklace/bracelet combination (est. $300,000 -500,000). 

Key pieces from the collection will travel to London, New York and Rome before returning for exhibition in Geneva in advance of the sale. The auction follows in Sotheby’s great tradition of offering jewels from some of the world’s leading stars, including Ava Gardner, Marlene Dietrich, Maria Callas, Mary Pickford and Paulette Goddard. 

Commenting on the sale, Gina Lollobrigida said: “I have been lucky enough to be given many roles in life – as an actor, a mother, a photojournalist, an Ambassador for FAO, and as an artist. I began collecting jewels from Bulgari in the 1950s and 1960s, drawn by the wonderful craftsmanship and distinctive style of these pieces. They accompanied me on many journeys – both professional and personal - and are redolent of those times and the extraordinary people I met along the way. These days I am focussing my time on my career as a sculptor. After more than 65 years I have come full circle, returning to the skills I first learned at the Fine Arts Academy in Rome. A sculptor has little need for jewels, and so, I have decided the time is right to share them with other collectors. In so doing, I can also help a cause very close to my heart, that of stem cell research – treatment, which I believe should be freely available to every child. It is my wish that part of the proceeds from the sale will contribute to help fund an international hospital for stem cell research.”

David Bennett, Chairman, Sotheby’s Switzerland and Chairman, Jewellery, Europe and Middle East said: “These exceptional jewels are evocative of both a woman, and an era. Not only do they reflect Gina Lollobrigida’s brilliance, but they are among the finest designs created by Bulgari in the “dolce vita” years of the 1950s and 1960s. Many pieces were chosen to represent the company’s distinctive craftsmanship in Bulgari: 125 Years of Italian Magnificence, an international exhibition which showcased Bulgari’s work around the world. The auction represents a wonderful opportunity for collectors to acquire seminal Bulgari pieces, imbued with Gina Lollobrigida’s magical provenance”.