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.
Bvlgari Serpenti Viper One-Coil 18K Rose Gold Pave Diamonds Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Aventura, FL
Serpenti Viper one-coil 18 kt rose gold bracelet set with pavé diamonds on the head and tail. With its signature blend of pure aesthetics, enveloping shapes, and charismatic flair, t...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Bvlgari 7.2 carat Diamond Curb Link Two Tone Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Exquisitely handcrafted by the master Italian artisans of Bvlgari in Circa 1980s, this exceptional bracelet is crafted in a sophisticated union of 18 karat white gold and 18 karat ye...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
BVLGARI Rose Gold B.zero1 Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
BVLGARI Rose Gold B.zero1 Bracelet PRIMARY DETAILS SKU: 156966 Listing Title: BVLGARI Rose Gold B.zero1 Bracelet Condition Description: Created in 1999 to celebrate the Millenium, t...
Bvlgari Serpenti Viper 18K White Gold Diamond Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
Wrap your wrist with sinuous elegance with this Bvlgari Viper bracelet. The coiled design, geometric pattern, and glamorous diamond embellishment capture the allure of the serpent. E...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
BULGARI Serpenti Scaglie Pave Diamond Rose Gold Large Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous large-sized Bulgari one-coil Viper bracelet from the classic Scaglie Serpenti collection is crafted in 18k rose gold and demi pave-set with brilliant-cut round D-E-F VV...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Bvlgari Serpenti Viper Two Snake Heads Bracelet, Size S
By Bulgari
Located in Guangzhou, CN
Bvlgari Serpenti Viper Two Snake Heads Bracelet, Size S With box
Bulgari Rose Gold Serpenti Viper Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Princeton, NJ
A large size 18 karat rose gold Bulgari Serpenti Viper bracelet, current model. Building on Bulgari's long history of using the form of a serpent, this bracelet immediately recalls t...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Bulgari Bvlgari Serpenti Viper Diamond Mother Of Pearl Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Rose Gold Diamond Mother Of Pearl Serpenti Viper Snake Bangle Bracelet by Bulgari. Round brilliant cut diamonds and Mother Of Pearl stones Retail Price: $21,600 Details: Size: ...
Diamond, Pearl, Rose Gold
Bvlgari Serpenti Collection 18K Rose Gold Three-Coil Pavé Diamond Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Guangzhou, CN
Bvlgari Serpenti Collection 18K Rose Gold Three-Coil Pavé Diamond Spiga (Bead) Bracelet
Rose Gold
BULGARI Diamond and Mother of Pearl Serpenti Viper Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
An iconic 2-coil bracelet stylizing a snake by Bulgari from the "Serpenti" collection. Structured in 18K with alternating brilliant-cut diamonds and white mother-of-pearl plaques sha...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
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.
