Bulgari Vintage Naturalia Fish Necklace

For Bulgari, the 1980s and 1990s were characterized by the innovation of modular jewelry in which one solid and recognizable sculptural motif was replicated with various materials. At this time, the Italian luxury jewelry house sought to create pieces with uncommon materials paired with precious colorful gems, diamonds, and gold that could be worn all day comfortably like modern garlands, whether realistic or geometrically abstract. The modular concept started with the famed Parentesi collection in 1982, where every element could be produced in series, finished by hand, and then connected.

The Naturalia collection was introduced later in 1991 and debuted as a playful yet elegant celebration of Nature, which featured a plump, pointed, oval-shaped motif that at times resembled fish and, at times, fish scales. In the more elaborate Naturalia piece, the motif fits together like a dazzling tessellated puzzle, reminiscent of the interlocking patterns of MC Escher. Depending on the design, the fish are amplified with colorful gems or pared down to the sculptural essence of warm sunny gold. The pair of whimsical face-to-face fish in this charming Bulgari Vintage Naturalia Necklace, made in the 20th century, circa the 1990s, is connected nearly lip-to-lip, with one sculptural gold eye amusingly watching us. The 16.5-inch necklace is crafted in 18K yellow gold, composed of a simple round link chain culminating in a pair of fish, the body of one set with carnelian and the other with chrysoprase. Bulgari signs the necklace with an Italian maker's mark.

Carnelian is a brownish-red mineral commonly used as a semi-precious gemstone. It is a sheer variety of the silica mineral, chalcedony, and is colored by iron oxide impurities. Chrysoprase is a green translucent, highly valued gemstone variety of chalcedony, rarely seen in the gem and jewelry market as a gemstone known to the ancient Greeks and Romans. The name "chrysoprase" is from the Greek words for "golden apple" or "golden leek." The color is derived from nickel and varies from apple green to deep green, as in this piece. The hardness of these gems makes them ideal for carving into unique lustrous shapes.

Measures approx. 16.5-inch (42 cm) in length. Overall weight approx. 20.79 grams, made in 18k yellow gold. Signed Bulgari; circa 1990s.

SKU :N1393
Category :NECKLACES
Metal :18KYG

BUL

18K Yellow Gold

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