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.
$40,000
W 1.25 in D 2.25 in L 3.375 in
Bulgari 18k Yellow Gold Miniaudiere Clutch Case with Red Gem Cabochon
By Bulgari
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Gorgeous, Unique Solid 18k Yellow Gold Miniaudiere Clutch/Cigarette Case by Bulgari Features Bezel-Set Red Gemstone Cabochon Button to Release Clasp Appx Dimensions = 3 3/8" x 2 1/4"...
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
9k Yellow Gold and Ruby Compact by Boucheron (1964)
By Boucheron
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive vintage 9 karat yellow gold and 0.86 carat ruby compact made by Boucheron - boxed; an addition to our diverse ornamental collection. This exceptional vintage 9 karat yellow gold case has a rectangular form, with a convex base and cover. The surface of the box is embellished with impressive engine turned decoration. This exceptional gold compact is fitted with an impressive flush hinged cover; the flush hinge indicates the high quality of the piece. The anterior edge of the cover features a push fit catch ornamented with an impressive collet set 0.86ct cabochon cut ruby. This impressive compact opens to reveal the original integrated bevelled mirror and powder compartment; this compact can be used without the original inset, detachable gold powder holder. The interior rim of the case bears the renowned maker's/retailer's mark 'Boucheron', in addition to full London hallmarks to the base. This exceptional Boucheron compact...
Gold
Tiffany & Co 1940s 14k Gold Compact Mirror Box With Ruby Detail
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This exquisite compact mirror box from Tiffany & Co., dating back to the 1940s, is a stunning representation of vintage elegance and craftsmanship. Crafted from 14k gold, the sur...
14k Gold
Vintage 1950s David Webb Gold Clutch with 10.00 Carat Ruby and Diamonds
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k with a carved Ruby weighing approximately 10.00 carats, 44 Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing approximately a total of 4.00 carats, and a mirror. Signed by D...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
$33,600Sale Price|20% Off
Cartier 14K Gold Mid-Century Ruby-Set Mirrored Pill & Compact Box
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
This exceptional Cartier pill and compact box is a superb example of refined mid-century French luxury, crafted in solid 14 karat yellow gold and richly accented with 57 natural rubi...
Ruby, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rare Bvlgari Tronchetto 18k Yellow Gold Rubellite Pink Tourmaline Ring with Box
By Bulgari
Located in Birmingham, GB
Vintage Bvlgari Pink Rubellite Tourmaline Tronchetto 18k Yellow Gold Ring. Beautiful domed rubellite pink tourmaline set in a fine 18k yellow gold tension set ring. Ring size UK K...
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Tiffany & Co. 14K Yellow Gold Ruby Powder Case Compact Mirror Box
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Tiffany & Co. Gender: Unisex Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold Length: 2.75 inches Weight: 121.30 grams TIFFANY & CO. 14K yellow gold vintage, ruby COMPACT. Engraved wi...
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Burmese Ruby Diamond Cocktail Ring.
By Bulgari
Located in London, GB
Bulgari Burmese ruby and diamond ring. A natural unenhanced oval old cut Burmese ruby is set horizontally to centre in an open back rubover settin...
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Rare Ruby 2 Tone 18k Gold Tubogas Cufflinks
By Bulgari
Located in Simpsonville, SC
Enhance your attire with the refined elegance of the Bvlgari 18K Gold and Ruby Cufflinks. A testament to Bvlgari's renowned craftsmanship, these cufflinks exude sophistication and lu...
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Bulgari 1990's Diamond Tourmaline 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Passo Doppio Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a domed form pavé set with round brilliant cut diamonds Weighing approximately 1.16 carats total - G color with VS2 clarity Flanked by carved faceted tourmaline inlay mea...
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Russian Art Nouveau Gold Enamel Pill Box
Located in New York City, NY
Rare and unusual Art Nouveau 14K two tone gold and enamel pill box. It features an enamel top with grape leaves motif around it; also features an intri...
18k Gold
Boucheron Paris Sapphire Diamond Gold Compact Case
By Boucheron
Located in New York City, NY
Ornate and unusual 18K yellow gold, diamond and sapphire compact case by Boucheron Paris, circa 1940s. It features an inside door and a large mirror o...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Bulgari Onyx 18 Karat Gold and Steel Keyring
By Bulgari
Located in New York City, NY
Classic onyx, 18K yellow gold and stainless steel keyring by Bulgari. It features Bulgari's trademark coin-like round design, with 18K gold bezel with their insignia carved in Roman ...
Onyx, 18k Gold, Steel, Gold
Retro French 18k Two Tone Gold Bangle Bracelet
Located in New York City, NY
Fine 18k yellow and rose gold bangle bracelet, of French origin and circa 1940s. Weighing over 100 grams, the bracelet is of substantial heft, and over 1.5 inch at its widest point. Will comfortably fit a wrist size of 7-7.25 in circumference, would be categorized as a large size bracelet...
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Oscar Heyman & Bros. Sapphire Diamond 18k Gold Platinum Brooch
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York City, NY
We would like to present this very fine diamond and sapphire brooch by Oscar Heyman & Bros., circa 1980s, for your consideration. This brooch is a stunning piece of jewelry crafted ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum, 18k Gold
De Grisogono Pink Sapphire Black White Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in New York City, NY
Fine pink sapphire, black and white diamond ring set in 18k white gold, by De Grisogono. It features high grade round pink sapphires and black/white round cut diamonds in an abstrac...
Diamond, Black Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White 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.
