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 Gold Diamond Leather Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bvlgari gold diamond leather bracelet Round-cut diamonds, black leather straps, 18 karat yellow gold; marked Bvlgari, Made in Italy, 750 Size: w...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Serpenti Rose Gold Diamond Watch Bracelet 18k Bvlgari
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bvlgari Serpenti Rose Gold Diamond Watch A limited edition Bvlgari wrist watch, featuring the brand's iconic snake motif Made with 174 round brilliant-cut diamonds approx 12.89 cara...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
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
Van Cleef & Arpels Gold Diamond Lady's Wristwatch
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels 18 karat yellow gold wristwatch featuring approximately 5 carats of diamonds. The dial is made out of round cut diamonds. The case's width is 2 cm. The links on th...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari 18k Yellow Gold and Steel Quartz Ladies Watch Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bvlgari 18k Yellow Gold and Steel Quartz Ladies Watch Bracelet Measurements: case diameter is 2.5cm, flexible size 19-20, watch bracelet circumference is 18.5cm. Weight: 59.6 grams...
18k Gold, Steel
Bulgari Tubogas Gold Watch Bracelet BB 26 2T
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bvlgari Tubogas 18k gold watch bracelet, featuring slightly flexible design. Bracelet will fit approx. 7" wrist, case is 26mm in diamet...
Gold
Bvlgari Parentesi Diamond & 18K Yellow Gold Bracelet Watch, Ref BJ01
By Bulgari
Located in Honolulu, HI
Authentic Bvlgari Parentesi ladies bracelet watch in 18k yellow gold, Ref. BJ 01. This stunning watch features a 20mm 18k gold case with closed solid snap back. The watch has an gold dial Pave' set with diamonds covering the whole face and yellow gold hour and minute hands. The watch has a quartz movement. The iconic Bvlgari Parentesi bracelet...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari 18K Yellow Gold SQ 22 2T Quadrato Tubogas Diamond Bezel Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Swiss Made Bvlgari 18k Yellow Gold Quartz Ladies SQ 22 2T Diamond Watch. A lady's gold wristwatch by Bvlgari from the Tubogas collection, quartz movement, square...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Bulgari Parentesi Gold Watch and Parentesi Bracelet 18k Gold Set
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A bold vintage set featuring an 18k Bulgari Parentesi watch paired with a coordinating bracelet. The set is designed with the iconic geometric ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Quadrato Diamond Sapphire Wristwatch
By Bulgari
Located in New Orleans, LA
This eye-catching Quadrato wristwatch was crafted by the high-end Italian jeweler Bulgari. An array of pavé-set white diamonds totaling approximately ...
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Parentesi 18K Yellow Gold BJ 01 H54486 Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
The Bvlgari Parentesi 18K Yellow Gold BJ 01 H54486 watch is a refined example of the brand’s timeless Italian design from the 1980s. Crafted entirely in 18-karat yellow gold, this ...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
BULGARI Spiga Diamond Yellow Gold 3 Row Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous Bulgari bracelet is crafted in 18k yellow gold and is designed as a flexible wrap bracelet of chevron links, accented with round E-F-G VVS1-VVS2 diamonds weighing an es...
Diamond, Yellow 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.
