Among the November auctions in Geneva, this noteworthy piece of film history will be going to one lucky bidder.
Christie’s star lot in its upcoming online auction is the very necklace Hollywood royalty Audrey Hepburn wore in Roman Holiday.
In the film, Hepburn played Crown Princess Ann and wore the necklace in the last scene of the 1953 romantic comedy.
Italian jeweler Fürst designed the piece which features “two strands of round cultured pearls, round and oval-shaped cabochon sapphires, round diamonds, and 18k white gold.”
Max Fawcett, head of Christie’s jewelry department in Geneva, estimates the necklace’s value between $21,000 and $29,000.
Hepburn herself personally chose the piece of jewelry for her character. At the end of filming, she returned the necklace to Fürst, along with a signed photograph of her wearing it. The portrait is also included in the auction.
Roman Holiday became Hepburn’s breakout role, earning her an Academy Award for Best Actress. In the film, she plays Ann, a crown princess on a tightly scheduled tour of Europe. In a rare chance of freedom, she escapes her bedroom to see Rome on her own.
There, she meets reporter Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck) and experiences a bittersweet, whirlwind romance. At the end of the film, where she’s wearing the famous pearl necklace, Ann accepts her duty as crown princess and future queen. The two share a few final words together before reluctantly parting ways.
Aside from the Hepburn necklace, the online sale also includes a large selection of Cartier jewelry, such as an emerald and onyx “Panthère” brooch. Objects from the Art Deco period are also expected to be highly sought after.
The “Jewels Online: The Geneva Edit” auction began on November 3 and will close on November 16.
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