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
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
New Bvlgari Tubogas Serpenti Scaglie Ladies SPP26WGD1GD11T Watch with Box +Paper
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
NEW Bvlgari Tubogas Serpenti Scaglie Ladies SPP26WGD1GD11T Watch With Box +paper. Rose gold 90 Gm Due to Bulgari’s very distinct style, their ...
18k 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 LVCEA Watch with Diamonds in 18 Karat Rose Gold
By Bulgari
Located in Lucerne, CH
Inspired by modern architecture, the Bvlgari LVCEA watch celebrates radiant femininity with a rose gold case featuring a pink gold, diamond-set bez...
Diamond, Gold, 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 Bulgari Parentesi Diamond Watch 18k Yellow Gold
By Bulgari
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Circa 2000's. Rare Bulgari Parentesi watch studded with diamonds including the buckle! The dial is a rose cut diamond. This watch will surely t...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari 18K Gold Tubogas Quartz Watch, 20th Century, Unisex Design
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
Bvlgari Serpenti Scaglie Rose Gold Diamond Set 102345
By Bulgari
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A true statement of luxury, an exquisite Bvlgari Serpenti Scaglie ref: SPP26C9GD1C9LGD1 102345 an iconic design with exceptional craftsmanship. Powered by a precise quartz movement,...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose 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 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 Tubogas BB232T 18K Yellow, Rose & White Gold Ladies Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Bvlgari Tubogas ladies' watch BB232T. This timepiece features a 23mm case made from 18k yellow gold, with an 18k yellow gold fixed bezel engraved with the Bvlgari logo. The black dia...
18k Gold
Bvlgari Tubogas BB232T 18K Yellow, Rose & White Gold Ladies Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Bvlgari Tubogas ladies' watch BB232T. This timepiece features a 23mm case made from 18k yellow gold, with an 18k yellow gold fixed bezel engraved with the Bvlgari logo. The black dia...
18k Gold
Bvlgari Tubogas BB191T Serpenti 18K Yellow, White & Rose Gold Ladies Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Bvlgari Bvlgari Tubogas BB191T Serpenti Tri-Color Ladies' Watch. Features a 19mm 18k yellow gold case and a rose gold stationery bezel. The black dial is adorned with gold hands and ...
18k Gold
Bvlgari Serpenti Tubogas 18K Yellow Gold Movado Movement Vintage Watch
By Bulgari
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
This is a vintage Bvlgari Serpenti Tubogas wrap-around wristwatch crafted in 18k yellow gold, featuring a unique octagonal case, a silver dial, black Roman numeral indices, and a Bvl...
18k Gold
Bvlgari Tubogas 18K Yellow Gold vintage Ladies watch
By Bulgari
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
The Bvlgari Serpenti Tubogas 1N Ladies Watch is an elegant and luxurious timepiece that embodies the iconic Serpenti design. Its rectangular case measures 15mm by 20mm and is crafted...
18k 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.
