Claudia Cardinale’s Legendary Jewels Arrive at Christie’s Paris

This summer, Christie’s Paris unveils one of the most glamorous jewelry sales of recent years with an extraordinary collection of pieces once owned by Claudia Cardinale – the incandescent icon of Italian cinema whose beauty, elegance and magnetic presence shaped the visual fantasy of the Dolce Vita era.

Presented as part of Christie’s Joaillerie Paris sale from June 19 to 26, 2026, the collection gathers twenty deeply personal jewels chosen, worn and treasured by Cardinale throughout her legendary life between Rome, Paris, Cannes and Hollywood.

More than a jewelry auction, the sale feels like stepping inside a lost chapter of cinematic history.

Because Claudia Cardinale was never simply an actress. She was an atmosphere.

From Visconti’s Le Guépard to Fellini’s dreamlike universe, Cardinale embodied a rare kind of femininity – sensual yet untouchable, powerful yet instinctively elegant. At a time when Italian glamour was conquering the world, she became one of its most unforgettable faces.

And the jewels she collected reflect exactly that spirit.

Claudia Cardinale in 1974 wearing a Bvlgari Serpenti bracelet-watch (€150,000-250,000) and a butterfly necklace/brooch (€20,000-30,000). Photo: Mondadori via Getty Images

The Golden Age of Italian Glamour

At the center of the collection stands an exceptional Bvlgari Serpenti bracelet-watch from the 1960s, crafted in luminous blue and white enamel with sapphire details – a hypnotic piece that instantly evokes the decadence of Roman nights, Cinecittà glamour and the intoxicating elegance of post-war Italy.

The relationship between Claudia Cardinale and Bvlgari feels almost symbolic. Both became emblems of a new era of Mediterranean luxury – bold, sensual and unapologetically glamorous.

Throughout the sale, monumental cabochon gemstone rings, sculptural gold creations and iconic Italian jewelry designs unfold like fragments of old cinema stills. A spectacular ruby ring, emerald Trombino creations, sapphire cabochons and delicate brooches reveal a woman drawn not to excess, but to character and emotion.

Alongside Bvlgari, pieces from Buccellati, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels further illuminate Cardinale’s instinctive understanding of style. Renaissance-inspired Milanese craftsmanship, refined Parisian elegance and playful motifs coexist within the collection, reflecting the cosmopolitan sophistication that defined her image both on and off screen.

Every jewel feels cinematic. Every piece carries memory.

More Than a Jewelry Sale

What makes this collection so fascinating is its intimacy.

These are not archival objects locked behind glass. They are jewels that lived. Jewels worn on film sets, red carpets, festivals and private dinners. Jewels belonging to a woman who moved through life with extraordinary natural glamour rather than constructed perfection.

And perhaps that is why the collection feels so modern today.

Claudia Cardinale en 1964, portant un collier diamants, début XXe siècle, chaîne plus tardive. Diamants taille ancienne et taille rose. Diamants : pour un poids total approximatif de 12,00 à 14,00 carats. Estimation : 10 000-15 000 €
Photo by Angelo Frontoni ©Museo Nazionale del Cinema / CSC-Cineteca Nazionale

_________

In an era increasingly obsessed with authenticity and timelessness, Claudia Cardinale’s style remains remarkably relevant – sensual without excess, elegant without calculation. Part of the proceeds from the sale will support the Fondazione Claudia Cardinale, continuing her commitment to supporting artistic creation and emerging women artists.

Because true icons never disappear completely.

They simply continue to shine through the stories, objects and beauty they leave behind.

For more information:
www.christies.com