iconic film accessories and dresses that sold for a fortune at auction
Hollywood is known for producing some of the world’s most famous blockbuster movies, starring A-list actors and featuring the most opulent accessories.
From watches to wigs, an on-screen appearance can make the value of some items skyrocket, and buyers are prepared to pay a premium for screen-used props at auction. Worlds away from affordable jewellery, these are the most expensive film prop accessories ever sold at auction.
the most expensive movie accessories sold at auction
1. rolex daytona
worn by: Paul Newman
sold for: £13.4 million
movie: winning (1969)
The Rolex Oyster Cosmograph Daytona reference 6239, better known as the ‘Paul Newman’ Daytona, is one of the most iconic and recognizable watches of all time.
Although the watch was a piece in Newman’s personal collection, it was gifted to the actor and race car driver by his wife, Joanne Woodward, in 1969 during the making of the movie ‘Winning’ and can be seen on-screen.
Engraved with the words ‘Drive Carefully Me’ Newman wore the watch during many races before his retirement.
The Paul Newman Rolex Daytona is not only the most expensive movie accessory sold at auction but broke records for being the most valuable watch ever sold at auction.
The retail price of a new Rolex Cosmograph Daytona starts at £27,350, showing the premium prices attached to screen-used accessories.
2. white cocktail dress
worn by: Marilyn Monroe
sold for: £3.5 million
movie: the seven year itch (1955)
When Marilyn Monroe’s white cocktail dress met with a gust of upwards wind from a subway vent in ‘The Seven Year Itch’, on-screen history was made.
The iconic flowy dress worn by the most talked-about actress of the 1950s sold at auction for a whopping £3.5 million!
3. ascot dress
worn by: Audrey Hepburn
sold for: £2.8 million
movie: my fair lady (1964)
Audrey Hepburn’s iconic Ascot dress was first seen by the world in the movie ‘My Fair Lady’ when Eliza Doolittle appeared at the Ascot derby.
The gown was designed by Cecil Beaton, a British fashion designer, and owned by American actress Debbie Reynolds who reportedly paid $100,000 for the piece.
After Hepburn’s debut in the dress, the value of the item skyrocketed and it eventually sold at auction for £2.8 million.
the cheapest movie accessories sold at auction
1. bates motel keychain
worn by: Anthony Perkins
sold for: £160
movie: psycho (1998)
Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic thriller movie ‘Psycho’ warned of the horrors within the frightening Bates Motel run by Norman Bates.
Regardless, a key to unlock room 7 of the murder house motel was auctioned for an astonishing £160.
Despite being the cheapest film accessory on our list, this piece of movie memorabilia costs far more than your standard keychain.
2. Sydney Prosser’s earrings
worn by: Amy Adams
sold for: £170
movie: american hustle (2013)
Amy Adams’ wardrobe for the movie ‘American Hustle’ is one of the most recognisable aspects of her character Sydney Prosser.
Featuring sequin dresses and dazzling jewellery, it’s hard not to notice some of the stunning pieces worn throughout the film.
One pair of sterling silver dangle earrings worn by Adams during the casino party scene sold at auction for £170!
3. cameo brooch
worn by: Vivien Leigh
sold for: £200
movie: gone with the wind (1939)
Vivien Leigh wore many iconic necklaces during her portrayal of Scarlet O’Hara in ‘Gone with the Wind’, yet one of the most recognizable pieces was the Cameo Brooch.
A necklace version of Scarlet’s cameo brooch, worn during the movie’s final scene, was sold at auction for £200.
the most expensive movie prop jewellery sold at auction
Some of the most pricey film props sold at auction include dresses, hats and shoes, yet nothing says Hollywood like big-screen bling. From classic film icons to current celebs shimmering in gemstones, these are the most expensive pieces of jewellery used on screen.
1. witch-king of angmar’s crown
worn by: Brent McIntyre
sold for: £42,500
movie: the lord of the rings: the fellowship of the ring (2001)
The Witch-king of Angmar is described in the Lord of the Rings books and films as a threatening warrior with deadly eyes who bears a crown made of steel.
The screen-used prop is made of iron, with four long spikes emerging from a twisted crown and sold at auction for an astonishing £42,500!
2. SPECTRE ring
worn by: Adolfo Celi
sold for: £20,500
movie: James Bond: thunderball (1965)
The James Bond movies are characterised by on-screen glamorous outfits and elegant jewellery, from the Bond girls to SPECTRE’s secret agents.
The SPECTRE ring was worn in ‘James Bond: Thunderball’ by SPECTRE agents including Adolfo Celi.
The ring, stamped with the iconic SPECTRE octopus logo, sold at auction for £20,500.
3. one ring
worn by: the nine ring-bearers
sold for: £7,500
movie: lord of the rings (2001-2014)
The central piece of the Lord of the Rings franchise is the one ring, one of the most significant things ever created in Middle-earth.
The one ring was held by nine ring-bearers and eventually destroyed in the Lord of the Rings movies.
However, one of the screen-used props sold at a Lord of the Rings auction for £7,500.
methodology
A list of the most expensive movie accessories sold at auction was compiled using lists from UniversityFox and LifestyleAsia.
Further information on auction sale prices for movie props was sourced from PropstoreAuction and eBay.