Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Jewels from the personal collection of legendary actress Claudia Cardinale were auctioned in June by Christie’s, drawing global interest from collectors and fans. The sale featured 24 pieces, including stunning creations by Cartier, Bulgari, and Van Cleef & Arpels — brands that epitomize elegance and glamour, much like Cardinale herself. The sale grossed €826,262, with the highest priced item going for €203,200.
Known for her iconic roles and friendly public persona, Cardinale was also an ambassador for Italian fashion houses, particularly Bulgari. In an interview with Christies, Cardinale’s daughter, Claudia Squitieri, said, “Bulgari was one of my mother’s favorite brands. In the 1960s, the house was synonymous with the hedonism and glamour of the Roman dolce vita.”
A highlight of the auction was a blue and white enamel and sapphire Bulgari ‘Serpenti’ bracelet watch from around 1965. The unique piece, with its coiled serpent design, was seen by Cardinale as a symbol of strength and vitality. The bracelet and the entire collection reflected the spirit and sophistication that Cardinale was known for.
Among the items sold were a Van Cleef & Arpels gold cigarette case and a Serra Roma enamel cigarette case with rose-cut diamonds (€22,860), an evening bag with sugarloaf and calibré-cut sapphires and rose-cut diamonds, from around 1925 (€24,130), and three of Cardinale’s Bulgari rings: an oval cabochon star ruby of 26.60 carats, round and marquise-shaped diamonds (€114,300); ‘Trombino’ oval cabochon emerald, round and baguette-cut diamonds (€76,200); cabochon light greyish-blue star sapphire, marquise-shaped diamonds (€101,600).
“These rings exemplify Bulgari’s distinctive aesthetic in the 1960s,” Squitieri said. “My mother was often photographed wearing them.” There is also a cabochon moonstone ring and a geometric gold and diamond ring (unsigned), offered with a Van Cleef & Arpels sapphire and diamond ring. “My father (film director Pasquale Squitieri) gave the diamond ring to my mother when she was about 55,” Squitieri said. “It was specially designed for her, so she was particularly fond of it.”
According to Christie’s, other notable sale highlights included a late-19th-century diamond necklace with old and rose-cut diamonds; a gold cigarette case signed by Van Cleef & Arpels, watches by Cartier as well as a rose brooch made from gold and coral and another composed of three flowers set with diamonds and pearls. A Buccellati set comprising a necklace and a pair of earrings was also offered.
For more information about the auction, Click here.
