Bulgari brings Serpenti jewellery showcase to Dubai

Celebrating 75 years of work, the exhibition incorporates the famous snake motif and collaborations with local artists

The exhibition is called Serpenti: 75 years of Infinite Tales. Photo: Bulgari

Vintage Serpenti jewellery will be part of the exhibition. Photo: Bulgari

The actress Zendaya has starred in campaigns for the house. Photo: Bulgari

This vintage, reticulated gold and enamel Serpenti necklace will be part of the new exhibition. Photo: Bulgari

The pieces are all made in precious materials such as white gold, white diamonds and pink sapphires. Photo: Bulgari

In this image from US Vogue, 1968, Benedetta Barzini wears a Bulgari necklace. Photo: Gian Paolo Barbieri for US Vogue

This piece is made with yellow gold, jade and white diamonds. Photo: Bulgari

The show will also include one-of-a-kind pieces, such as this high jewellery necklace. Photo: Bulgari

First adopted as an emblem by Bulgari in 1948, the snake has inspired numerous collections. Photo: Bulgari

Italian jewellery house Bulgari, is bringing its unique savoir faire to Dubai, for an exhibition of one of its most famous emblems – the serpent.

Called Serpenti: 75 years of Infinite Tales, the exhibition looks back over almost eight decades and the different ways the house has used the snake as inspiration for its Serpenti jewellery collections.

First adopted as an emblem by Bulgari in 1948, the snake has inspired numerous collections throughout the years, from delicate earrings and sinuous necklaces that coil around the neck to one-of-a-kind high jewellery masterpieces.

To showcase this history, Bulgari is bringing together many of its present-day and vintage pieces, including some of its most famous creations. For lovers of jewellery, this will be a unique opportunity to be immersed in the Bulgari universe and witness its remarkable pieces up-close.

As part of the exhibition, the brand is also bringing together four artists to give their interpretation of the Serpenti, including Afra Atiq, the Emirati spoken word poet and co-founder of Untitled Chapters, a collective of female writers from the UAE.

For this event, Atiq has written a poem inspired by three pieces from the Serpenti heritage. “The poem pays homage to continuity, taking snake imagery and metaphors in a fresh direction, particularly focusing on the shedding of snakeskin. It centres on personal growth, akin to snakes outgrowing their old skin,” she explains.

Also involved is Azra Khamissa, a designer and henna artist, who takes inspiration from Bedouin communities for her work. For this show, she draws a comparison between the resilience of the nomadic tribes and snakes, which have both had to adapt to and endure harsh environments.

Other artists involved in the show include Azza Al Qubaisi, a jeweller and sculptor, who focuses on using traditional techniques and materials; and Turkish media artist, Refik Anadol, who has created several artworks of the Serpenti pieces using digital manipulation.

The exhibition is on show at The Gate Building, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and will run until September 24