Greek silversmith Sotirios Voulgaris arrived in Rome in 1881 and set up his own shop there in 1884, calling it Bulgari, an Italianization of his last name (in the brand's logo, it's styled BVLGARI, using the classical Latin alphabet in a nod to ancient Roman culture). In 1905, he opened the company’s flagship boutique on Rome’s Via dei Condotti. Since then, Bulgari has looked to Rome as a source of reference for its fanciful and decidedly romantic designs for necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other accessories.
Although the iconic jewelry house found success with its silverwork and Art Deco designs, popular through the 1920s, Bulgari’s signature style — bold, often using yellow gold embellished with big colorful gemstones — began to emerge when Sotirios’s sons inherited the business, in 1932.
The brand truly hit its stride in the dolce vita era of the 1950s and ’60s, when the founder’s grandsons Paolo, Gianni and Nicola Bulgari decisively departed from demure traditional styles to develop the house’s exuberant multi-gem looks, attracting celebrity collectors like Elizabeth Taylor.
In the 1940s, Bulgari debuted perhaps its most famous design, the Serpenti bracelet watch. The piece’s snakelike coils were made possible by the tubogas jewelry technique, which links a flexible series of thin horizontal bands. Both the sleek, modern tubogas construction and the sinuous snake motif continue to be synonymous with the Bulgari brand.
On 1stDibs, the collection of vintage Bulgari jewelry includes rings, pendant necklaces, watches and other accessories.
Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Weave Leather Classic Jodie Bag
By Bottega Veneta
Located in London, GB
Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Weave Leather Classic Jodie Bag Beige shoulder bag crafted from the brand's signature Intrecciato weave leather. Featuring a chunky knotted accent on one...
Borsa A Mani Bvlgari Snake Nera
By Bulgari
Located in Torre Del Greco, IT
Shopping bag di Bulgari in pelle nera e color nude con hardware argentati. Predispone di una patta frontale con chiusura ad incastro. Gli interni sono rivestiti con una pelle liscia viola ed è munita di tasche interne tra cui una con chiusura a zip. Inoltre, la borsa è dotata di una tracolla, rimovibile e regolabile, in pelle color nude e nera. Le condizioni della borsa sono buone, presenta dei leggeri segni di usura sulla pelle e all’interno delle macchie sulla patta all’interno. ___________________ Bulgari shopping...
Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Roma Small Top Handle Bag
By Bottega Veneta
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Introducing the Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Roma Small Top Handle Bag, designed by expert craftsmen in Italy. Made with the signature Intrecciato leather, this bag features convenient...
Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Nappa Roma Small Satchel
By Bottega Veneta
Located in Houston, TX
Founded in 1966, Bottega Veneta quickly became synonymous with its iconic "intrecciato" leather weaving technique, a hallmark of sophistication and quality. Bottega Veneta's collecti...
SALVATORE FERRAGAMO wicker bag
By Salvatore Ferragamo
Located in Rubiera, RE
SALVATORE FERRAGAMO natural wicker and white calce leather handle bag, satin silver hardware measures: Width cm. 25,5 High cm. 19 Excellent condition like new No dustbag
Alexander Wang x Bvlgari Serpenti Forever Nude 3-Way Small Bag
By Bulgari
Located in PUTNEY, NSW
An elegant limited-edition piece from the Alexander Wang x Bvlgari collaboration, this Serpenti Forever Small Bag combines Bvlgari's iconic jewellery heritage with Alexander Wang's c...
Christian Dior Lady Dior Oblique Monogram Y2K Leather Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
Christian Dior Lady Dior Oblique Monogram Y2K Leather Bag Olive green handbag crafted from glossy patent leather featuring the embossed all-over Dior Oblique monogram print. F...
Bottega Veneta Intreccio Kalimero Citta Small Shoulder Bag
By Bottega Veneta
Located in Houston, TX
Founded in 1966, Bottega Veneta quickly became synonymous with its iconic "intrecciato" leather weaving technique, a hallmark of sophistication and quality. Bottega Veneta's collecti...
Salvatore Ferragamo 21-A896 Sofia Quarzo fume Leather Women's Bag
By Salvatore Ferragamo
Located in New York, NY
Salvatore Ferragamo 21-A896 Sofia Quarzo fume Leather Women's Bag
Fernande Desgranges leather bag
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
FERNANDES DESGRANGES - (Made in France) Burgundy leather rigid bag with tweed-like fabric. Bag from the 1960s. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Height: 21 cm - Width: 29 ...
Jewelry historian Vanessa Cron combed 1stDibs and selected some dazzling pieces with timeless appeal.
From Elizabeth Taylor to Zendaya, the Serpenti has been the accessory of choice for generations of it girls.
