Sotheby’s has unveiled plans to auction more than 80 jewels from the personal collection of Shirley Bassey, featuring diamonds gifted to her by the iconic Elton John.
Set to occur in Paris on October 10, the auction will present a curated selection of Bassey’s treasured pieces, each holding profound significance in her illustrious career, as confirmed by Sotheby’s on Wednesday. The collection showcases jewels from esteemed design houses such as Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, alongside an esteemed Piaget timepiece.
For Bassey, her jewelry collection embodies a repository of memories, with each piece narrating its own unique tale. “All the pieces are meaningful and have a story to tell, whether I bought them for myself or they were gifted to me,” she expressed. Among these cherished items is a vintage Van Cleef & Arpels ring embellished with white diamonds, a heartfelt gift from Elton John following her performance at one of his AIDS gala evenings, a treasure she has held dear over the years. Another noteworthy piece is an emerald parure she acquired to commemorate her inaugural Royal Variety Performance in the presence of the late queen.
In anticipation of the auction, Sotheby’s intends to exhibit these remarkable jewels in Monaco, London, and Paris, providing enthusiasts with an exclusive opportunity to immerse themselves in the glamour and history encapsulated within Bassey’s collection.
