Elizabeth Taylor’s gems on display in Oscar-week exhibit
Posted February 20, 2013 8:00 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Stars gathered to see the glittering jewels of late actress Elizabeth Taylor, on display at Bulgari’s boutique in Beverly Hills, on Tuesday.
The exhibition includes pieces Taylor obtained and wore during well-documented times in her storied life, including the filming of Cleopatra, which launched her romance with Richard Burton.
“Richard Burton really got her some beautiful jewelry,” said Kirsten Dunst on the red carpet ahead of the viewing. “She has good taste in men, for sure.”
The jewels, widely reported to have been bought from the Taylor estate by Bulgari at the December 2011 auction of her collection at Christie’s, are on display this week in advance of next Sunday’s Academy Awards.
“I think it’s just amazing to see what she, personally, and Richard Burton curated for their lives,” said Drew Barrymore. “I think it’s about seeing a moment where they responded to something and purchased it. I’m so curious as to what made their pupils dilate.”
Noting Taylor’s “grounded” nature in contrast to her impossibly glamorous life, Bulgari is known for creating jewels that pair precious stones with items of no intrinsic value such as antique coins, ceramics and silk cords.
Burton, whom Taylor married and divorced twice, once famously quipped that “The only Italian word Elizabeth knows is Bulgari.”
The Italian luxury house was founded in 1884 in Rome by Greek Sotirios Voulgaris, known in Italy as Sotirio Bulgari.
“They represent the glamour, the beauty, the artists, and I love Italy,” said Italian prince of Venice and Piedmont, Emanuele Filiberto, speaking about the brand.
“It’s beautiful to see these things outside of Italy. It’s a beautiful representation.”
Taylor died in 2011 aged 79 of congestive heart failure. The Christie’s auction of her gems took in a record $116 million.
