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.
Van Cleef & Arpels 18 Karat Gold, Chrysophrase and Diamond Ring, circa 1970
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Zurich, CH
Van Cleef & Arpels 18 Karat Yellow Gold, Chrysophrase and Diamond Ring, circa 1970. A beautiful vintage band ring of bombé design, decorated with three vibrant calibré-cut chrys...
Chrysophrase, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Boucheron 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Malachite Ring, 1970s
By Boucheron
Located in Zurich, CH
Attractive 18 karat yellow gold, diamond and malachite ring by French jewelry house Boucheron, 1970s. Designed as a slightly bombé band ring centering upon a lozenge shaped element ...
Diamond, Malachite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Bicolor Gold Ring by Bvlgari
By Bulgari
Located in Zurich, CH
Sleek and minimalist 18 karat bicolor gold ring by renowned Italian jewelry house Bvlgari. Crafted in 18 karat yellow and white gold, this attractive vintage ring consists of three ...
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ebony Bangle, 1970s
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Zurich, CH
18 karat yellow gold and ebony bangle by French Maison Van Cleef & Arpels, 1970s. A striking Van Cleef & Arpels bangle, crafted in deep black ebo...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Cartier 18 Karat Gold Diamond "Panthère Griffe" Ring, 2000s
By Cartier
Located in Zurich, CH
Exquisite 18 karat yellow gold and diamond "Panthère Griffe" ring by Cartier, 2000s. Crafted in 18 karat yellow gold and diamonds, cross-over ring of geometric design in which overl...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier 18 Karat Rose Gold, Amethyst, Turquoise and Diamond Ring
By Cartier
Located in Zurich, CH
Cartier "Les Délices de Goa" Amethyst, Turquoise and Diamond Ring, 2003. This stunning ring is a beautiful piece from Cartier's "Les Délices de Goa" collection—a stunning ring featu...
Amethyst, Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Bvlgari Serpenti Diamond Emerald 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet Medium
By Bulgari
Located in Boca Raton, FL
A striking and iconic design from Bvlgari, this Serpenti bangle bracelet is crafted in 18 karat yellow gold and showcases the maison’s legendary serpent motif in a bold and sculptura...
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Snake Bracelet Enamel Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Flexible Link Vintage
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This captivating vintage snake bracelet is crafted in 18-karat yellow gold and features a flexible link design that gracefully wraps the wrist with exceptional movement and comfort. ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Bulgari Serpenti 18K Gold Diamond Wristwatch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bulgari 18K rose gold Serpenti red lacquer diamond wristwatch with presentation box Weight : 90.9 g Interior circumference : 6 5/8" Case : 26 mm Marked : Au 750 18K BULGARI FABRIQUE ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Diana M 2.50 Ct Diamond and Enamel Gold Art Deco Style Bracelet
By Diana M. Jewels
Located in New York, NY
18kt yellow gold snake design bracelet multi-color enamel and 2.50 cts of diamonds with adjustable lock (GH VS/SI 64.05 GR 0.75" width)
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Bvlgari 18K Gold Diamond Spiga Bracelet, Circa 1990, 3.5ct Diamonds
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Drawing on the ancient wheat-ear motif—spiga in Italian—this Bvlgari bracelet embodies prosperity and continuity. Three flexible coils of polished 18K gold form rhythmic chevron link...
Gold, 18k Gold
BULGARI 18K Rose Gold, Diamond and Emerald Serpenti Viper Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
An icon of sensual sophistication, this BULGARI Serpenti Viper bracelet coils around the wrist in a dazzling fusion of craftsmanship and symbolism. Fashioned in 18K rose gold, the se...
Diamond, Emerald, 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.
