Cleopatra wig expected to fetch $20,400 (+ video)

Liz Taylor in Cleopatra. Photo / File

Buying such items second-hand would usually be the cheaper option.

But given this one's provenance, it's definitely worth a few bob.

The wig worn by Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra - one of the most famous in film history - is up for sale.

It is expected to fetch £10,000 (NZ$20,400) at auction today.

The hairpiece is thought to be one of three versions made for the 1963 movie, which was the most expensive production ever made at the time and nearly bankrupted the studio behind it, 20th Century Fox.

After filming was completed the wig, which is made of human hair and adorned with gold-coloured beads, was retained by its British creator, Stanley Hall. He gave it to a Hollywood make-up artist, who kept it for nearly 30 years.

Margaret Barrett of Heritage Auctions in Dallas, Texas, which has listed the item, said: "If you think of the movie and Elizabeth Taylor in it you can see her in this wig. It looks very authentic and is a real quality wig." She said there was a lot of interest in memorabilia related to Miss Taylor following her death in March.

The actress married her Cleopatra co-star Richard Burton in 1964. The couple divorced in 1974, remarried 16 months later and then divorced again in 1976.

Watch the original trailer of the film:

- DAILY MAIL