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.
BULGARI Serpenti Ring in 18k Gold and Mother-of-Pearl, Italy, 2010
By Bulgari
Located in PARIS, FR
BVLGARI Serpenti animal ring in 18k yellow gold and mother-of-pearl. Condition: excellent condition. Size: S (48-49-50). Width of motif: 14 mm. Weight: 10.31 g. Bvlgari signature and...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Diva's Dream Ring, 18K Rose Gold, 1.10ct Diamonds, Circa 2015
By Bulgari
Located in PARIS, FR
Stunning BVLGARI Diva's Dream ring in 18K rose gold and diamonds, featuring an elegant alternation of triangular mother-of-pearl motifs, delicately accented with brilliant-cut diamon...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
BULGARI - B.zero1 ring in rose gold and diamonds
By Bulgari
Located in PARIS, FR
Bvlgari B.Zero1 large model ring in 18k rose gold and diamonds. This is the large model (retail price €26,000) and not the new, smaller model. Condition: as new. Size : 53 (non modif...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
BULGARI Parentesi vintage bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in PARIS, FR
Vintage BVLGARI Parentesi bracelet in 18k yellow gold and steel. Period: 1980s. Condition: excellent condition (rarely worn, has just been lightly polished). Size: medium. Width of y...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
CARTIER Maillon Panthère Ring in 18k Yellow Gold with 0.53ct Diamonds
By Cartier
Located in PARIS, FR
CARTIER Maillon Panthère ring in 18k yellow gold with diamonds. Condition: very good. Size: 56. Width: 7.8 mm. Diamond weight: 0.53 carats. Total weight: 11.56 g. Signed Cartier and ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
BULGARI Vintage Parentesi Tubogas Vintage Cuff Bracelet, 18K Gold & Steel, 1980s
By Bulgari
Located in PARIS, FR
Vintage BVLGARI Parentesi bracelet in 18k yellow gold and steel. Period: 1980s. Condition: excellent condition (rarely worn, has just been lightly polished). Size: medium. Width of y...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel
Bulgari Tubogas Gold Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Napoli, NA
An iconic Bulgari Tubogas ring circa 1980's showcasing 18k yellow gold in a perfectly balanced ring. The ring measures a size 6.5. The flexible nature of this ring allows some play i...
Gold, 18k Gold
Bvlgari Ceramic 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Chandra Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a carved ceramic sugarloaf measuring 15.0 x 9.0 mm - opaque glossy white Displaying grooved linear waves throughout Bar set in flaring shoulders Completed by high polish fi...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Ceramic 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Chandra Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a carved ceramic sugarloaf measuring 15.0 x 9.0 mm - opaque glossy white Displaying grooved linear waves throughout Bar set in flaring shoulders Completed by high polish fi...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas Ring 18k Gold Steel Flex Sz 9 Estate Snake Jewelry
By Bulgari
Located in Torrance, CA
Pre-owned Bulgari Serpenti tubogas ring crafted in 18k rose gold & steel (circa 1980s) Diamonds total an estimated 0.10 carats (estimated at G-H color and VS1-2 clarity). The stee...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Steel
Bulgari Parentesi Gold Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Napoli, NA
Iconic and rare vintage Bulgari Parentesi 18 carat yellow gold ring is composed of sculpted geometric links Has a total weight of 12,98 grams. The actual size is 5, flexible up t...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel
Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas Ring in 18k Yellow Gold and Steel, 1980s
By Bulgari
Located in Napoli, NA
A striking and iconic vintage Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas ring from the 1980s, crafted in a luxurious combination of 18k yellow gold and stainless steel. This elegant piece wraps fluidl...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel
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.
