Sotirios Voulgaris

Inspired by his grandfather, Konstantinos, Voulgaris became a silversmith, first making belts and then earrings, sword cases and silver buttons.

In its early years, his company, Bulgari, became known for silver pieces that incorporated elements from Byzantine and Islamic art, combining them with floral motifs.

Jewellery from the 1920s included platinum Art Deco settings, while pieces from the 1930s had geometric diamond patterns, often combined with coloured gemstones.

Sotirios Voulgaris died in 1932, leaving his business to his two sons, Giorgio (1890–1966) and Constantino (1889–1973), who both had a great interest in precious stones and jewellery.

Today, Paolo Bulgari (born 1937), an Italian businessman and grandson of Sotirios Voulgaris, is the chairman of the company Bvlgari.