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.
Vintage Patek Philippe Blue Dial Watch in 18 Karat Gold
By Patek Philippe
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A vintage Patek Philippe wristwatch crafted in 18k yellow gold, featuring an elegant blue dial and integrated woven gold bracelet. Timeless and refined, this Swiss-made timepiece exe...
Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 18 Karat Yellow Gold Brushed Finish Link Bracelet
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A substantial vintage bracelet crafted in 18K yellow gold, featuring oversized sculptural links with rich satin-brushed finish. Weighing an impressive 91 grams, this bold statement p...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vendura 18K Yellow Gold Pineapple Watch With Twisted
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An exceptional Vendura wristwatch crafted in 18K yellow gold, featuring the house's iconic Pineapple motif and a richly textured twisted rope-link bracelet. The watch showcases a whi...
Yellow Gold
18KT Yellow Gold David Webb Buckle White Enamel Cuff Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Bold and iconic, this David Webb cuff bracelet is crafted in 18K Yellow gold with white enamel detailing. Designed in the brand's signature buckle style, it features textured gold ro...
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Tiffany & Co. 18 Karats Yellow Gold Hard Wear Diamond Bracelet
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A bold and distinctive Tiffany & Co. bracelet crafted in 18K yellow gold, featuring oversized Hard Wear- inspired links accented by a pave diamond link. Weighing 52 grams and set wit...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Tiffany & Co. 14K Yellow Gold Woven Link Bracelet , 7.5 inches
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Elegant vintage Tiffany & Co. bracelet crafted in 14K yellow gold featuring an intricate woven link design and signature Tiffany Clasp. Weighing 22.5 grams and measuring 7.5 inch...
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 yellow Gold Antalya Interchangeable Bands Wristwatch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bulgari 'Antalya' Watch 18K Gold, with Interchangeable Bands Comes with Brown and Red Bands
18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Bvlgari Alveare Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with a black lacquer face. Signed by Bvlgari Circa 1980s Size 6, flexible
18k Gold
Bvlgari, 18K Gold Tubogas Bracelet Quartz Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bvlgari Serpenti Tubogas watch embodies Roman jewelry-watch mastery, combining a sculptural gold coil bracelet with a minimalist dial framed by engraved branding. The flexible Tuboga...
Quartz, 18k Gold
Bulgari Bulgari BB33GSCD 18K Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel Tubogas Bracelet.
By Bulgari
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Bvlgari Tubogas BB33GSCD. 33mm 18K yellow gold case. 18K yellow gold fixed bezel with engraved Bvlgari. Black dial with silver tone hands and index and Arabic 6 & 12-hour indicators....
18k Gold
Bvlgari Tubogas 18K Yellow Gold Black Dial Swiss Ladies Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Miami, FL
This midsize Ladies Bvlgari Bulgari Tubogas watch in 18k yellow gold, a timeless highly desired masterpiece, perfect for everyday wear. It has a beautiful black dial with gold numer...
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.
