When one thinks of Audrey Hepburn's most memorable jewellery moments, her pearl necklace from the opening scene of Breakfast at Tiffany's or the 128-carat yellow Tiffany & Co. diamond she wore for publicity of the film probably come to mind. However, the actress was also decorated with incredible jewellery in her other blockbuster movies. Now, her pearl, sapphire and diamond choker from Roman Holiday, the 1953 film she starred in alongside Gregory Peck, heads to auction at Christie's in their online auction Jewels Online: The Geneva Edit, live from 3 November through 16 November.
The 18k white gold necklace is composed of two strands of round cultured pearls, studded by a star design made up of round and oval-shaped cabochon sapphires and round diamonds. It is signed by Fürst, the Italian jewellery company founded in Turin in the 1850s. The necklace is also accompanied by an autograph of Audrey Hepburn, who wrote "To Fürst, With many thanks, Audrey Hepburn."
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Roman Holiday, a romantic comedy that follows the adventures of a young princess named Anne (played by Hepburn) and an American journalist (Peck) while in Rome, earned the 24-year old Hepburn an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA for Best Actress and is considered the film that launched her to stardom. Hepburn wore this particular necklace in the final scene of the movie. Both a piece of cinematic and jewellery history, the necklace goes to to auction with an estimate of CHF 18,000-26,000 (£16,250-23,470).
