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 Rose Gold Diamond Set 101788 SPP26G
By Bulgari
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rose gold Serpenti by Bvlgari. Features a black dial with each hour marker diamond-set. At 12 and 6 o'clock of the case is a total of 6 round brilliant cut diamonds. Fitted with a ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Bvlgari Mediterranean Edden Rose Gold MOP Dial MEP40WGPL
By Bulgari
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare Bvlgari Mediterranean Eden ladies wrist watch reference MEP40WGPL. Inspired in the mediterranean history and culture this watch fetures a 40mm 18K rose gold case with an openw...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Bulgari Astrale Cerchi Yellow Gold Multi Gem-Set AE36G
By Bulgari
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A stunning Astrale Cerchi wristwatch in yellow gold by Bvlgari, featuring a black dial. Complimenting the dial are 66 round brilliant diamonds and several other multi gemstones inclu...
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Peridot, Tourmaline, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Y...
Cartier Tank Divan NOS Rose Gold Diamond Set
By Cartier
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Cartier Tank Divan for ladies crafted in rose gold. Featuring a stunning mother of pearl dial with roman numerals, blued-steel sword shaped hands and a secret Cartier signature at ...
Diamond, Rose Gold
Bvlgari Astrale White Gold Multi Gem Ladies Watch AEW36G
By Bulgari
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A stunning multi-gem ladies Astrale wristwatch, crafted in white gold by Bvlgari, featuring a white dial. Complimenting the dial is 44 round brilliant diamonds and is further set wit...
Tourmaline, White Gold
Cartier Clé De Cartier Serti Vibrant Limited Edition Diamond Set HPI01063 3963
By Cartier
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A stunning Cartier Clé de Cartier Serti Vibrant reference HPI01063 3963, a numbered limited edition of 30 pieces, dated circa 2014, featuring an extraordinary NAC-treated 18k white g...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Bvlgari Serpenti Tubogas Diamond Rose Gold Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Chicago, IL
Experience the captivating allure of this Bvlgari Serpenti Tubogas watch, a masterpiece of Italian jewelry and horological design. Crafted in luxurious 18k rose gold, this iconic pie...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Bvlgari Serpenti Inspired Rose Gold Diamond Sapphire High Jewelry Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Chicago, IL
An extraordinary Bvlgari high jewelry wristwatch, masterfully crafted in 18 karat rose gold and adorned with an exceptional arrangement of diamonds and vivid purple sapphires. Combin...
Diamond, Sapphire, Rose 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
Bvlgari Serpenti SPP26G Twirl Diamond in Rose Gold on Diamond & Onyx Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Embrace luxury with this Bvlgari watch crafted in 18k rose gold and mixed metals, featuring 4.12 carats of sparkling diamonds. The sleek black watch face is complemented by a unique...
18k Gold
Bvlgari, 18K Gold Mother-of-Pearl Serpenti Quartz Wristwatch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This BVLGARI Serpenti watch bangle coils in sculptural rose gold, articulated with scale-like links for fluid movement. Pavé diamonds accent geometric motifs, framing a sleek dial wi...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 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.
