kolkata sothebys geneva will offer 23 outstanding jewels from the collection of the legendary actress artist and philanthropist gina lollobrigida in its magnificent jewels and noble jewels sale on 14th may 2013 the auction will feature important bulgari jewels from the 1950s and 1960s worn by miss lollobrigida at landmark moments in her career and which were highlights of the international touring exhibition bulgari 125 years of italian magnificence in 20092012 highlights include a pair of natural pearl and diamond pendant earrings made in 1964 estimate 6000001000000 a 1903 carat diamond ring circa 1962 estimate 400000 800000 and a 1954 diamond necklacebracelet combination estimate 300000500000 key pieces from the collection will travel to hong kong london new york and rome before returning for exhibition in geneva in advance of the sale the auction follows in sothebys great tradition of offering jewels from some of the worlds leading stars including ava gardner marlene dietrich maria callas mary pickford and paulette goddard commenting on the sale gina lollobrigida said in an email statement i have been lucky enough to be given many roles in life as an actor a mother a photojournalist an ambassador for fao and as an artist i began collecting jewels from bulgari in the 1950s and 1960s drawn by the wonderful craftsmanship and distinctive style of these pieces they accompanied me on many journeys both professional and personal and are redolent of those times and the extraordinary people i met along the way these days i am focussing my time on my career as a sculptor after more than 65 years i have come full circle returning to the skills i first learned at the fine arts academy in rome a sculptor has little need for jewels and so i have decided the time is right to share them with other collectors in so doing i can also help a cause very close to my heart that of stem cell research treatment which i believe should be freely available to every child it is my wish that part of the proceeds from the sale will contribute to help fund an international hospital for stem cell research david bennett chairman sothebys switzerland and chairman jewellery europe and middle east said these exceptional jewels are evocative of both a woman and an era not only do they reflect gina lollobrigidas brilliance but they are among the finest designs created by bulgari in the dolce vita years of the 1950s and 1960s many pieces were chosen to represent the companys distinctive craftsmanship in bulgari 125 years of italian magnificence an international exhibition which showcased bulgaris work around the world the auction represents a wonderful opportunity for collectors to acquire seminal bulgari pieces imbued with gina lollobrigidas magical provenance mario tavella chairman sothebys italy and deputy chairman sothebys europe commented gina lollobrigida is one of the greatest and most glamorous stars not just of the italian screen but of 20th century world cinema sothebys italy is