Dive into Dame Shirley Bassey’s sparkling and shiny world.&nbsp;

The Collection of Dame Shirley Bassey, CH, DBE

Coloured Diamonds

Cartier’s Tutti Frutti collection stands as one of the most iconic and vibrant designs in jewelry history.

Cartier’s Tutti Frutti collection stands as one of the most iconic and vibrant designs in jewelry history.&nbsp;

Tutti Frutti 

Highlights 

A Collection of an Elegant Lady

This Beloved Nature!

Paris

Chairman | Jewellery EMEA, Head of Noble Jewels

Andres White Correal

Head of Jewellery Department, France

Magali Teisseire

Senior Director | Head of Important and Fine Jewels sales | EMEA

Emily Barber

Specialist, Jewellery

Tifenn Bouric

Associate Specialist

Pauline Duval

Head of Monaco Office

Louise Grether

Administrator, Jewellery &amp; Watches

Salomé Georgelin

Meet our Specialists

For assistance with bidding and registration, please contact: +33 (0) 1 53 05 53 48 
 
 <a class="Link" href="mailto:bids.paris@sothebys.com">bids.paris@sothebys.com</a>

Stay informed with Sotheby’s top stories, videos, events &amp; news.

Session 1

Session 2

Sotheby’s Paris is pleased to present our Fine Jewels auction, to be held on Thursday the 10 October 2024. Among its highlights is the personal Collection of Dame Shirley Bassey including over seventy pieces spanning various styles, from a number of prestigious jewellery brands such as Cartier and Van Cleef &amp; Arpels.

Fine Jewels, including the Collection of Dame Shirley Bassey

Celebrating the Style, Glamour and Femininity of Dame Shirley Bassey

Who is a diva without her jewels? The opulent radiance of precious stones is part and parcel of divadom (diva meaning goddess in Italian) signalling a glorious sense of defiance – a celebration of individuality, charisma and hard honed talent. “You must work at your talent, you must water, mature and not abuse it,” she said in 1993. Dame Shirley Bassey, born to a working-class family in Tiger Bay, Cardiff in Wales, (her father is black Nigerian and her Yorkshire born mother, Caucasian) wears her diva status with grace, dignity and has made fine jewellery a quintessential part of her on and off-stage persona that first took shape singing in pubs and clubs in Wales. Her entire being is expressed in her emotive songs that speak of pain, joy, triumph and her collection (which started with a string of pearls that she bought for herself to celebrate her first breakthrough in entertainment) marks the chapters of her remarkable life. Bassey is now auctioning an 80-piece prize selection that will appeal to collectors worldwide. Diamonds radiate resilience and charisma like no other precious stone. “Diamonds are Forever” sang Dame Shirley Bassey for the iconic title track for the 1971 James Bond film; these hand cut natural treasures embody beauty and brilliance and form the bedrock of her collection. Having started with pearls, as her fame and career grew, Bassey gravitated towards diamonds and her fascination preceded the invitation to perform for this classic movie. In the 80-piece strong auction, there’s a much loved and frequently worn 1960s vintage Van Cleef &amp; Arpels ring covered in white diamonds that Elton John gave Bassey after she sang at one of John’s Aids fundraiser gala evenings and a ruby and diamond heart parure she spotted in a fine jeweller's window during a stopover in Bangkok on route way to her first concert tour of Australia. She jested once that she has a black belt in shopping; a skill eulogised in another Bond anthem “Big Spender.” Each piece whether from a world-renowned high jewellery maison or an individual artisan, has a story to tell. What bewitches Bassey is the artistry of the cut, setting and exquisite design. Expert makers exercise a rare talent and skills often passed down through generations and tirelessly honed at the jeweller’s bench. The art is akin to training a voice and a flawless stage performance that Bassey has dedicated her life to. Ultimately the projection is a splendour that appears effortless. One of the most resplendent sets is a Cartier Maillon Panthere parure in gold and diamonds that is a feat of ergonomic engineering in the curvilinear mosaic that sees hundreds of bezel set diamonds in a modernist design. Indeed, Bassey’s collection is marked by a leaning towards timeless graphic shapes and vanitas motifs including hearts, flowers and wings. "Perhaps one of the most special pieces in the collection is this emerald parure I bought myself to commemorate my very first Royal Variety performance in front of the late Queen," says Bassey of her 1961 debut wearing one of her trademark embellished siren gowns.

Broche turquoise et diamants | Turquoise and diamond brooch

Pendentif turquoises, saphirs et diamants  | Turquoise, sapphire and diamond pendant

Bague diamant Fancy Light Brown-Yellow et diamants  | Fancy Light Brown-Yellow diamond and diamond ring

Paire de clous d'oreille diamants | Pair of diamond ear studs

Parure corail et diamants | Coral and diamond parure

Collier émeraudes et diamants | Emerald and diamond necklace

Montre bracelet de dame or, "Baignoire" | Lady's gold bracelet watch, 'Baignoire'

Broche diamants | Diamond brooch

Collier diamants | Diamond necklace

Bague diamants | Diamond ring 

Bague diamant Fancy Brownish Greenish Yellow  | Fancy Brownish Greenish Yellow diamond ring

Parure or et diamants, "Maillon Panthère" | Diamond and gold parure, 'Maillon Panthère'

Broches or et diamants, "Double feuille" | Gold and diamond brooches, 'Double feuille'