Five tumbled aquamarines, six rock crystals and six sapphires together weighing approximately 548.90, 272.80 and 78.65 carats respectively
Spaced by diamond-set rondelles, diamonds together approximately 12.00 carats
18 karat white gold
Italian maker's mark
Signed BVLGARI and numbered 6849
Length approximately 410mm
With a signed box
Literature
C.f BVLGARI, A. Triossi & D. Mascetti, Electra, 2007. p. 277, BVLGARI BLV advertisement (2000) showing a similar tumbled aquamarine, rock crystal and diamond 'Sassi' or 'pebble' necklace.
Catalogue Essay
One of the greatest accolades of Bulgari design is the ability of its designers to harmonise colours in endless chromatic combinations, creating unique but tasteful pieces. It is not unusual to see high value and relatively inexpensive gemstones combined together in magnificent designs. The cut of a gemstone too is regarded as of greater important than its value. Unusual and non-traditional cuts are chosen where they complement a stone’s inner beauty, such as the tumbled gemstones used in the present lot. The present necklace forms part of the Sassi collection, originally created for the Bulgari BLV perfume advertising campaign in 2000. Necklaces were strung with polished irregularly shaped polychrome gemstones forming either multi-strand or single-strand necklaces.
Originally from Kalarites, Greece, Sotirios Voulgaris emigrated to Rome because of Greece's rising poverty and difficulty separating from the Ottoman Empire. He set foot on Italian soil in 1880 with little money in his pocket and spent the next four years preparing what would go on to become Italy's oldest jewelry company.
In 1884, Bulgari opened its doors to the Italian people with its offering of jewelry and accessories. Bulgari's style takes from traditions in Greek and Roman craftsmanship to elegantly balance volume and subtlety. Later, in the late 1960s, Bulgari bridged classicism and modernity by introducing its seductive, now-iconic Serpenti collection of snake-shaped coil bracelets and watches. It is through its meticulous combination of influences that Bulgari has garnered an international and loyal high-profile clientele, which included Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. These Hollywood stars have immortalized the house's unique gem-adorned bracelets, necklaces and earrings in rounded forms.