For the first time on display in Paris, at the legendary Grand Palais, "125 years of Italian Magnificence" looks back at the key moments in the history of the celebrated jeweler and the development of Bulgari design, from the opening of the first boutique on Rome's Via Sistina in 1884 to the present day.
More than 500 precious items illustrate Bulgari’s path to becoming the world's leading creator of precious, highly colorful jewelry. Divided chronologically into periods, the retrospective begins with designs using silver and diamonds from the first part of the 20th century, Art Deco designs of the 40’s and 50’s and the creative turn taken in the 60’s with the emergence of a new style combining precious stones with rarely used original materials.
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| Bulgari necklace |
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| Bulgari bracelet |
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| Bulgari ring |
Bulgari’s designs were often inspired by ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian jewelry designs. For instance, the serpent motif was successfully reintroduced in the 20th century by way of a wristwatch.
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| Bulgari wristwatch worn by Elizabeth Taylor in 1962. |
Elizabeth Taylor was a devoted fan of Bulgari in the 60s. She wore nothing but Bulgari and would not take her jewelry off while filming, thereby forever immortalizing the Bulgari serpent bracelet/wristwatch she wore while filming “Cleopatra” in 1962. Her entire collection is on display in this exhibit, including a gorgeous emerald and diamond necklace given to her by Richard Burton.
BULGARI: 125 Year of Italian Magnificence
Exhibit runs through January 12, 2011
Grand Palais
1 Avenue Géneral Eisenhower
75008 Paris, France
01 44 13 17 17
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