A magnificent Bulgari Serpenti necklace sold for $920,000
It was the showstopper at a Sotheby's sale held on April 19 in New York. A magnificent Bulgari Serpenti necklace was indeed the star of this session, with a reserve price set at $800,000. It ultimately sold for $920,000, or approximately €821,000. This Bulgari necklace can be transformed into a belt.
The most massive Bulgari Serpenti necklace recorded to date
According to Franck Everett, Director of Sotheby's Luxury Division, this is the most massive version of the Serpenti necklace model available on the market. However, he was less forthcoming about the provenance of the white gold Bulgari jewel, which features over 200 carats of diamonds.
At 104 cm long, this serpent jewel can be wrapped twice around the neck or worn as a belt. The serpent's head is composed of a pear-cut diamond. With an estimated value of $800,000 to $1 million, this Bulgari Serpenti necklace was thus sold in line with Sotheby's expectations.
Bulgari Serpenti, a necklace beloved by celebrities
Recently, actress Charlize Theron was seen wearing a similar Bulgari Serpenti necklace at the Academy Awards. Bella Hadid, Kiki Layne, Naomi Watts, and Miley Cyrus are among other celebrities seen on the red carpet with a Serpenti around their necks. A photo of Elizabeth Taylor, an eternal fan of the Bulgari house, also shows her wearing a Serpenti watch on the set of the movie Cleopatra.
The serpent theme in jewelry and watchmaking
While Cleopatra is probably the most famous figure to wear jewelry with a serpent theme, Queen Victoria is not far behind. We all remember the serpent ring, a symbol of eternal love, that she received as an engagement ring from Prince Albert. It was this antique ring that started the Victorian trend for serpent jewelry.
After all, it is merely the return of a fashion dating back to ancient times. The serpent is one of the oldest and most common motifs in jewelry, with roots in ancient Greek and Roman jewelry.
From a contemporary perspective, no other house has distinguished itself as much as Bulgari in the field of serpent jewelry, which has become its trademark.
"Bulgari is truly the benchmark when it comes to this theme," said Everett. "It's such an ancient and enduring motif that it can be said that the serpent is to Bulgari what the panther is to Cartier. Many high jewelry houses make serpent jewelry, but no one does it as well as Bulgari."
The origins of Bulgari Serpenti jewelry
The origins of the Serpenti collection date back to the 1940s. They coincide with the appearance of flexible Tubogas bracelets that hugged the wrists, like snakes, but without heads or tails.
In the 1960s, the style evolved to resemble a reptile wrapping around the wrists or necks of Bulgari customers. The antique Serpenti jewels of this period featured colorful enamel, onyx, and/or stone scales, which were also used to create the serpent's eyes.
Other exceptional antique jewels from this sale
320 antique jewels were part of this sale organized by Sotheby's. Other interesting pieces include an extremely rare antique Cartier brooch (mid-1920s) in coral, emeralds, pearls, and diamonds, valued between $250,000 and $350,000.
A Renaissance-style diamond and enamel sautoir necklace + earrings created by Paulding Farnham, creative director of Tiffany and Co. at the very beginning of the 20th century, is another museum-worthy piece that was offered for sale. The parure was created for the 1904 Saint Louis World's Fair. These 2 exceptional antique jewels came from a private European collection.
