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.
Modernist Italian Sterling 925 Silver Cigar Case c.1970
Located in Bath, GB
A wonderful and very smart cigar tube made from solid sterling silver stamped 925 on the underside together with the makers mark for Fani Argenti of Florence / Firenze. There are th...
Sterling Silver
Antique 20thC English Solid Silver Cigar Case, Birmingham c.1907
By William Hutton & Sons
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early 20th Century English solid silver cigar case. The case has a straight edge and rounded end with two compartments to hold cigars, with a richly gilt interior. Hallmarked...
Silver
Bulgari B.Zero 925 Sterling Silver Leather Cord Pill Box Case
By Bulgari
Located in Simpsonville, SC
The Bulgari B. Zero 925 Sterling Silver Pill Box Case with Leather Cord is a luxurious, modern accessory that reflects Bulgari’s signature bold and sophisticated style. Crafted from ...
Sterling Silver
Italian silver gold table cigarette holder case, 1950s
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Italian Silver and Gold Table Cigarette Holder Case, 1950s This elegant pair of mid-century modern silvered and gilded metal cigarette holders from the 1950s captures the essence of ...
Metal
Silver and Gold Steamer Trunk Case, Cartier for Cole Porter
By Cartier
Located in Riverdale, NY
Amazing and Rare Silver and Gold Steamer Trunk Case, by Cartier for Cole Porter. Cole Porter, one of Americas leading songwriters and bon vivants of the e...
Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
Sterling Silver Cigar Compendium, hallmarked 1897
Located in London, GB
A stylish Sterling silver box made to house cigars, cigarettes and matches, each in their own separate compartment. Made in hallmarked silver; London 1897 and with the cigar compartm...
Silver
Brushed silver cigarette case with side strips and gold interior
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Brushed silver cigarette case with side grooves and gold interior. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: Eagle Head. Weight: 127.08 grams. Dimensions: 10.7cmx1.2cm. ...
Silver
$256Sale Price|65% Off
H 4.14 in W 3.15 in D 0.4 in
Matte silver cigarette case with smooth trim and gold interior
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Matte silver cigarette case with smooth grooves and gold interior. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: Cabeça de escravo. Weight: 119.94 grams. Dimensions: 10.5cmx...
Silver
$256Sale Price|65% Off
H 3.55 in W 3.35 in D 0.4 in
Silver cigarette case with fluted bands, gold interior and hinged lid
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Silver cigarette case with fluted bands, gold interior and hinged lid. Metal: Silver. Origin: German. Brand: Absent. Weight: 112.43 grams. Dimensions: 9x8.5cm. Content: ...
Silver
$1,400Sale Price|30% Off
H 5.12 in W 3.15 in D 0.4 in
Guilloche silver cigarette case with bands at the top, hinged lid and gold clasp
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Guilloche silver cigarette case with bands at the top, hinged lid and gold clasp. Metal: Silver. Origin: European. Mark: Absent. Weight: 198.65 grams. Dimensions: 13cmx8...
Silver
Japanese Art Nouveau Bronze Lobed Vase with Silver Overlay
Located in Austin, TX
An attractive Japanese Art Nouveau silver overlaid bronze vase, late Meiji period, early 20th century, Japan. A tall and elegant bronze vase of q...
Silver, Bronze
Japanese Silver Incense Burner, Akoda Koro, by Nomura, Meiji Period, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A lovely and luxurious Japanese silver incense burner of lobed melon form, akoda koro, marked jungin and signed Nomura, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan. The silver koro...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Chinese Export Silver Sugar Tongs by Luen Wo, Early 20th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A wonderful pair of Chinese export silver small sugar tongs in a bamboo pattern by Luen Wo, late 19th or early 20th century, Shanghai, China. The small silver tongs wonderfully cr...
Silver
Chinese Dian Culture Large Gold Cuff, circa 2nd Century BC, Southern China
Located in Austin, TX
A large and impressive solid high karat gold cuff from the Dian Kingdom, circa 2nd century BC, modern day Yunnan Province, China. . This striking cuff is crafted from hand hammered ...
Gold
Japanese Lacquer Writing Box, Suzuribako, Edo Period, 18th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
An exceptionally fine and unusual Japanese lacquer writing implements box, suzuribako, in the form of a zither, koto, Edo Period, 18th century, Japan. With a modern wood storage box,...
Gold, Silver, Copper
Japanese Lacquer Accessories Box, Tebako, Brocade Design, Meiji Period, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A very fine Japanese lacquer tebako, box for personal accessories, in the form of rolled bolts of brocade fabric, Meiji Period, late 19th century, Japan. The box is whimsically shap...
Softwood, Lacquer
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.
