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Elizabeth Taylor pictured in 1963 promoting The V.I.Ps, wearing her Bulgari platinum, emerald and diamond tremblant brooch, Colombian emerald brooch and matching earrings
Credit: © Photofest, NY

In an age where ‘see now, buy now’ is fast becoming the prevailing dictum, there’s something almost refreshing about looking at something and knowing with absolute certainty that you’ll never be able to ‘shop the look’.

Masochists with a penchant for haute joaillerie will no doubt delight in the imminent NGV International exhibition Italian Jewels: Bulgari Style, which draws from the archives of the Italian jeweller’s spectacular Heritage Collection, including pieces belonging to personal collections of screen icons Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren and Ingrid Bergman. With a focus on the Dolce Vita period of mid-century Italian and Hollywood cinema, Italian Jewels will pair more than 80 pieces with films and photography from the era, including an emerald ring gifted to Taylor by her fifth husband Richard Burton on the set of the iconic film where they began their affair, Cleopatra (1963).

Italian Jewels: Bulgari Style opens at the NGV International from September 30 2016 and will run daily until January 29, 2017. Entry is free and you can find out more information here.

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Necklace 1967, gold, emerald, ruby, sapphire, diamond
Credit: Bulgari Heritage Collection, Rome
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Necklace with pendant/brooch 1962 and 1958, platinum, emerald, diamond
Credit: Bulgari Heritage Collection, Rome

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Melone evening bag c. 1972, gold, steel, diamond, silk (tassel)
Credit: Bulgari Heritage Collection, Rome

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Melone evening bag c. 1972, gold, sapphire, silk (tassel)
Credit: Bulgari Heritage Collection, Rome

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Tremblant brooch 1960, platinum, diamond, yellow diamond
Credit: Bulgari Heritage Collection, Rome

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Bib necklace 1965, gold, emerald, amethyst, turquoise, diamond
Credit: Bulgari Heritage Collection, Rome

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Bracelet 1960, gold, sapphire, diamond
Credit: Bulgari Heritage Collection, Rome

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Sautoir c. 1972, gold, sapphire, yellow sapphire, agate, citrine, diamond
Credit: Bulgari Heritage Collection, Rome

Tile and cover image: Reporters Associes/Gamma/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images