Bulgari Exhibit in Paris

Photo by Filippo Monteforte of AFP

If in Paris during the holidays it would be a good time to stop in the Grand Palais to view the Bulgari exhibit, which examines the history of the Italian luxury jeweler and its influence on world culture.

Photo by Filippo Monteforte of AFP

“125 years of Italian Magnificence” looks back over the key moments in the history of the celebrated jewelry maker 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 the path followed by Bulgari on the way to becoming the world's leading exponent of precious, highly colorful jewelry.

Photo by Filippo Monteforte of AFP

Divided chronologically into periods, the retrospective begins with designs using silver and diamonds from the first half of the 20th century, then shows the creative turn taken in the 1960s with the emergence of a new style combining precious stones with rarely used original materials. The exhibition continues with the eclectic style inspired by 1970s pop art, the bold designs of the 1980s and 90s, right through to the spectacular designs of the 21st Century.

Jewelry, drawings, cinema stills and original items from private collections are contained in the exhibit, including Bulgari's own vintage collection and pieces owned by Elizabeth Taylor.