Bulgari Pill Box

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.

Antique and vintage boxes and cases are sought-after pieces that come in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs. ​​The craft of making boxes dates back thousands of years to some of the earliest known wooden structures. There are now as many types of boxes and cases as there are artists.

Whether they’re pillboxes, pouches, trinket boxes, Victorian-era cigarette cases or another variety, boxes and cases can be eye-catching additions to home decor. Some of the most valuable antique boxes and cases are made from silver or gold. Over time, skilled artisans have experimented with adding varying layers of ornament to these objects, sometimes studding them with gemstones such as rubies or diamonds. Giving your desk an upgrade? While functional, a box or case can amount to the perfect finishing touch, adding a bit of class and sophistication to any room of a house or office.

Intricate pillboxes or sapphire cases from various periods are prime examples of boxes that can elevate a space. Smaller pillboxes, vintage jewelry boxes and cosmetic pieces can make an Art Deco dresser or cherished wood vanity look more luxurious. Slightly larger boxes, however, can keep personal belongings hidden from sight while adding interest to tabletops and shelves. When styling your home library, for example, don’t be afraid to integrate antique boxes and decorative objects or sculptures with your treasured art books.

Browse the collection of antique and vintage boxes and cases today on 1stDibs.