Soul of the Sea

The colourful cultures and rich history of the Mediterranean are realised in some of the most exceptional jewellery creations from Bulgari yet, as Tatler Singapore discovers at the unveiling of the house's latest high jewellery collection in Venice 

- Annabel Tan

After days of rain, the skies had cleared and the sun was out in all its glory the day we arrived in Venice. Famously known as “The Floating City”, Venice is built on 118 small islands, connected by hundreds of bridges over the winding canals that characterise this charming northeast Italian city.

Throughout its history in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period, Venice was a major maritime power thanks to its prime geographical position that allowed it to dominate the trade routes on the Mediterranean Sea and act as the key middleman between the Middle East and the Byzantine Empire. As the crossroads of cultures and Mediterranean influences that has served as a stage for countless meetings and exchanges over the centuries, it is no wonder that Venice was chosen as the picturesque setting for the launch of Bulgari's latest high jewellery collection, Mediterranea, which took place in May.

The theme of the collection was inspired by founder Sotirio Bulgari's journey from his homeland of Greece through the Mediterranean before finally settling in Rome, Italy, where he founded his eponymous brand in 1884. His descendants later referenced this journey through jewellery creations that mixed Greek, Italian and Middle Eastern inspirations, which became Bulgari’s signature.