Christie’s roundel
Lot 4

A CIGARETTE CASE, BY BULGARI

Closed30 August 2024

Estimate

GBP 3,000–5,000

More Information

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A CIGARETTE CASE, BY BULGARI
Of rounded rectangular outline, the hinged case entirely decorated with engine turned detailing, opening to reveal a polished interior with engraved inscription reading 'MELLY MAY 4th 1958', 7.3 x 10.3cm, 127g, in original black silk slip cover
Signed Bulgari

Specialist note

This cigarette case was a gift from husband Mel Ferrer for Audrey’s 29th birthday on 4th May 1958.

One of Audrey's few vices were cigarettes. In his book Audrey At Home, son Luca Dotti described how she began to smoke as a young girl, when Holland was liberated from Nazi occupation by the British:

"Freedom has a special smell to me" - she explained - "the smell of British petrol and British cigarettes. When I ran out to welcome the soldiers, I inhaled their petrol fumes as if it were a priceless perfume and I demanded a cigarette, even though it made me choke." She would never again be without British cigarettes.