*Bvlgari Roma 1970 Moneta Tubogas Earrings in 18 kt Gold and Steel with Gold Coins
Moneta earrings designed by Bvlgari.
Rare iconic pieces, created in Rome Italy by the jewelry house of Bvlgari, back in the late 1970's. This tubogas moneta clips-earrings has been crafted in solid yellow gold of 18 karats, with tubogas elements in stainless steel. They are suited with omega backs for fastening clips and the post option for pierced ears can be easily added,
The main decorative elements are mounted into bezels, they are two genuine ancient gold Fanam coins struck in 24 karats from the kingdom of Cochin in India, circa 1700's.
They have a combined weight of 32.9 Grams and a measurements of 25 mm by 16 mm (1 x 0.63 Inches).
Stamped, with the maker's mark, the Italian hallmark for the gold assay and signed in full, "BVLGARI Made in Italy .750 INDIA SECOLO XVIII *2337AL".
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: The fanam is one of the smallest coin struck in the world. Is a denomination of very small gold coins issued in Southern India in the 17th to the 19th centuries, in Mysore, Cochin and elsewhere.
Kingdom of Cochin (also known as Perumpadappu Swaroopam, Mada-rajyam, or Kuru Swaroopam; Kochi or Perumpaṭappu), named after its capital city of Kochi, was a kingdom on the Malabar coast in Kerala, that ruled from the early 12th century to 1949. Historically, the capital of Cochin was in Kodungallur, but in 1341, the capital was moved to Kochi as a result of a major flood. By the early 15th century, Cochin lost its ability to fully defend itself. By the late 15th century, the Cochin kingdom shrank to its minimal extent as a result of invasions by the Zamorin of Calicut.
They are in perfect condition.
INVENTORY REF: E0000TMEN/.7908
