*Bvlgari Roma 1970 Moneta Magnum Champagne bottle coaster in .925 sterling silver with Roman coin
Moneta coaster for Champagne magnum bottle designed by Bvlgari.
A rare luxury item created in Rome, Italy by the house of Bvlgari, back in the 1976. This Champagne magnum bottle coaster is part of the very popular and iconic Moneta collection and was carefully crafted in solid .925/,999 sterling silver, with a genuine ancient Roman Follis bronze coin in the center.
Have a total weight of 271.5 grams and a diameter of 6 inches (152.4 mm).
Engraved at the back in the reverse, with the specific description of the Roman coin, as follow, "ROMA EMPIRE MAXIMIANVS HERCVLIVS A.D. 286-305 FOLLIS"
Stamped, with the maker's mark, the Italian control hallmark, the serial number and signed in full "BVLGARI 1976 *136ROMA .925 MADE IN ITALY 65".
Bvlgari, was founded in the late 19th century by Sotirio Bulgari, who was born in 1857 in Greece and was descended from a talented family of silversmiths. In 1884 he opened his first shop in Rome on the Via Sistina, and then in 1905 he moved to the actual flag's store in Via dei Condotti. Upon Sotirio’s death in 1932 his sons, Giorgio and Costantino, took over the business. They are credited with creating the highly distinctive ‘Bvlgari’ style, inspired by Greek and Roman classicism revival, the Italian Renaissance, and the 19th century Roman school of goldsmiths. The 1970s marked the beginning of Bulgari’s international expansion with the opening of stores in New York (the first overseas), Paris, Geneva and Monte Carlo.
Monete Jewels by Bulgari
The practice of mounting coins for wear as jewelry has a long history dating back to ancient Roman times. Coins were not only minted as a unit of value for transactions, but the images appearing on them could be symbols of power, sometimes talismanic, and could represent alliances between countries. Nicola Bulgari, grandson of the founder of the firm, who developed an interest in coin collecting, can be credited as the “influencer” who was responsible for the launch of Bulgari’s modern tradition of mounting ancient coins in the mid-1960s. The use of ancient Greek and Roman coins also forged a firm connection with Bulgari’s proud Hellenic and Roman cultural heritage. Coins used in Bulgari jewels date from the 5th century B.C. to the 20th century A.D., depending in part on what is available in the market. Each coin has been thoroughly researched and the reverse of each mounting is inscribed with the name of the individual or region featured and the year of issue, inscribed in Roman font. Coins with irregular contours are mounted in such a way that the integrity of the coin is uncompromised; the mounting follows the shape of the coin so not to diminish its numismatic value. The scholarly aspect of Bulgari’s “Gemme Nummarie” (coin gems, derived from Latin), sets them above all imitators. Also referred to as simply “Monete” (coins, in Italian), Bulgari coin jewels can bestow status upon the wearer and be the source of stimulating intellectual conversation, but most importantly they show great respect for tradition while successfully linking antiquity with the present. (From Sotheby's with thanks).
Note: Many similar pieces from the Moneta collection has been produced such; boxes, cigar humidors, cups and vases. all with the typical genuine historical ancient coins.
It is in great condition, with minor traces of wear as usual.
INVENTORY REF: D0000XRAE/.1111
