Shirley Bassey: record for the sale of her jewels at auction
Dame’s jewelry collection Shirley Bassey (87) broke a world record at an auction in Paris: all lots belonging to the singer were sold for a collective price of €2.2 million (£1.8 million). The highest figure ever achieved in such an operation.
The collection was part of Sotheby’s biennial Fine Jewels sale, which took place on October 10, the proceeds of which were donated to Dame Shirley’s chosen charities.
Bassey, who grew up in Cardiff’s Tiger Bay, sang about diamonds in the title song of the James Bond film “Diamonds Are Forever” (“Agent 007: a waterfall of diamonds”) from 1971, starring Sir Sean Connery.
The vintage 1960s Van Cleef and Arpels diamond ring with brilliant-cut diamonds, given to her by Sir Elton Johnsold for €48,000 (£39,995), more than triple its estimate of €10,000-15,000.
An emerald and diamond necklace by Van Cleef and Arpels, bought to commemorate his first Royal Variety Performance in front of Queen Elizabeth II, sold for €174,000 (£144,985), more than double its estimate of €50,000-€70,000.
A vintage diamond brooch from around 1905 also sold for €162,000 (£134,991), almost five times its estimate of €26,000-€35,000.
Speaking ahead of the auction, the actress said: “I fell in love with jewelery when, as an emerging singer, I first discovered natural pearls and bought myself my first strand of pearls, the first piece of jewelery I ever owned. purchased. I quickly moved on to my usual passion, that of diamonds, which preceded the recording of “Diamonds Are Forever”. In fact, I agreed to sing the song because it fully reflected me and because I felt in tune with the diamonds then and now. Collecting jewels for me – he concluded – is like collecting memories and this collection is full of them”.
Bassey is the only singer to have recorded more than one 007 theme: her “Goldfinger” from the soundtrack of “007: Operation Goldfinger” in 1964 is very famous. The third success in the soundtrack of the British secret agent came in 1979 with “Agent 007 – Moonraker – Space Operation”.
In the Italian edition of “Agent 007: a waterfall of diamonds” there Bassey plays “Vivo of diamonds” an Italian version of “Diamonds Are Forever, with lyrics by Gianni Boncompagni.
But Shirley Bassey she also went beyond the 007 soundtracks and was the first Welsh singer to achieve a UK number one single in 1959, with “As I Love You”.
As well as diamonds Dame Shirley has racked up 12 UK top 10 singles and eight UK top 10 albums.