Bvlgari, the Roman high jeweler, is shining a light on the unparalleled skill with which it manipulates color in the "Bvlgari Kaleidos: Colour, Culture, Craft" exhibition, which is being held with the support of the Italian Embassy in Japan and is the first Bvlgari exhibition in Japan in 10 years and is the largest ever.

Convertible Sautoir Bracelet
Gold, amethyst, turquoise, citrine, ruby, emerald, diamond
(circa 1969, Bvlgari Heritage Collection)
Courtesy of BVLGARI
The exhibition title, "Kaleidos," comes from the Greek words meaning "beautiful" (kalos) and "form" (eidos), and symbolizes a journey through a dynamic and ever-changing world of color, where beauty and creativity are in harmony. The exhibition will feature approximately 350 pieces of chromatic masterpieces selected from the Bvlgari Heritage Collection and precious private collections, tracing the history of the Maison from its inception to the present, highlighting the deep ties between Italy and Japan, and celebrating the two countries' shared passion for art and design and rich cultural heritage. Three contemporary female artists, Mariko Mori, Lara Favaretto and Akiko Nakayama, will also exhibit works based on their own explorations of color.

Pendant Earrings
Gold, platinum, emerald, amethyst, turquoise, diamonds
(1968, formerly owned by Lynn Revson, Bvlgari Heritage Collection)
Courtesy of BVLGARI
Combining High Jewellery, creations from the Bvlgari Heritage Collection, contemporary art, precious documents from the Bvlgari Historical Archives, and immersive installations, "Bvlgari Kaleidos – Colour, Culture, Craft" is a kaleidoscopic exhibition of creativity and evocative experiences. A multifaceted journey where films, interactive spaces, and artistic dialogues bring Bvlgari's world of color to life, visitors will discover the Maison's mastery of gemstones and precious metals.


A Revolution in Color
Bvlgari is the only High Jeweler to have transformed color into an art form of its own, creating truly colorful jewelry masterpieces. The Maison's history is deeply intertwined with the bold use of colorful gemstones, which remains a primary source of inspiration for Bvlgari High Jewelry today. While founder Sotirio Bvlgari's early silverwork hinted at a strong interest in color, the true revolution came in the 20th century. In the early 1900s, traditional High Jewelry was dominated by a limited palette of conventional colors, favoring monochromatic designs in platinum. After World War II, Italy became the epicenter of a color revolution.

Bracelet
Gold, platinum, citrine, diamonds
(circa 1940, Bvlgari Heritage Collection)
Courtesy of BVLGARI
In the 1950s, Bvlgari pioneered the bold combination of diamonds with sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and other stones set in yellow gold. He also embraced stones once considered semi-precious, such as amethyst, citrine, and turquoise, recognizing their vibrant hues and beautiful potential, and expressing the intensity of their colors through Bvlgari's signature cabochon cut. This fearless approach to color became a hallmark of the Bvlgari style and cemented the Maison's reputation as "masters of colored stones."

Bangle
Gold, platinum, rubies, sapphires, diamonds
(1954, Bvlgari Heritage Collection)
Courtesy of BVLGARI
This exhibition retraces Bvlgari's color revolution in three chapters. Chapter 1 introduces a scientific approach to color effects, highlighting an important citrine bracelet from around 1940; a bangle boldly set with sapphires, rubies and diamonds; and a necklace and earring set combining emeralds, amethysts, turquoise and diamonds.

"Bib" Necklace"
Gold, platinum, emerald, amethyst, turquoise, diamonds
(1968, formerly Lynn Revson, Bvlgari Heritage Collection)
Courtesy of BVLGARI
The second chapter focuses on the cultural and symbolic aspects of colour, and includes three enameled "Serpenti" necklaces, rare jade jewellery and the masterpiece "Seven Wonders", a necklace set with diamonds and seven precious emeralds.

"Serpenti" Necklace in Gold, White Enamel, and Ruby (Circa 1970, Bvlgari Heritage Collection) Courtesy of BVLGARI
The third and final chapter explores the role that light plays in the perception of color, particularly in metals like silver and gold. It also features rare fancy color diamond jewelry and pieces set with pearls. And finally, a 1969 sautoir in gold with amethyst, turquoise, citrine, rubies, emeralds, and diamonds—a masterpiece that resembles a firework of color.

Serpenti Evening Bag
Gold, silk cord, diamonds
(circa 1978, Bvlgari Heritage Collection)
Courtesy of BVLGARI

The Art of Color
Color has long been one of the most powerful inspirations in art, with painters, sculptors, jewelers and artisans using it to communicate emotions and represent the world. This exhibition sheds light on the passion for color shared by High Jewelry and Fine Art through Bvlgari's bold and colorful designs, which have not only influenced jewelry but also collaborated with artists from various disciplines. Three contemporary female artists, Mariko Mori, Lara Favaretto, and Akiko Nakayama, have been invited to create original works for this exhibition. Mariko Mori and Lara Favaretto create meditative and evolving works on the theme of color, offering a fresh perspective, while Akiko Nakayama's final work, a vibrant kaleidoscopic touch, concludes the journey through color.

Convertible Sautoir Bracelet
Gold, amethyst, turquoise, citrine, ruby, emerald, diamond
(circa 1969, Bvlgari Heritage Collection)
Courtesy of BVLGARI

The path of art, where Italy meets Japan
The venue design for this exhibition is a collaboration between Bvlgari, architect Kazuyo Sejima of the Japanese architectural firm SANAA, and the Italian design unit Formafantasma. Inspired by the mosaic patterns in the baths built by the ancient Roman emperor Caracalla, the design concept reflects Bvlgari's cultural heritage through curved forms, sophisticated translucent materials, and color effects, leading visitors on a sensory journey through a world of color. Formafantasma will also design special free-standing display cases for the masterpieces from the Bvlgari Heritage Collection. This will open an artistic path that delves into the essence of Bvlgari's creativity, seamlessly blending the Maison's Roman roots with elegant Japanese aesthetics.

The exhibition will open with the display of two special pieces from the Bvlgari Heritage Collection. The first, the "Temple" paperweight, is in the shape of the facade of an ancient Roman temple and is crafted in yellow gold with lapis lazuli, onyx, and diamonds. The second, the circular "Mount Fuji" brooch, is in yellow gold with mother-of-pearl, polychrome enamel, and diamonds. These two harmonious pieces symbolize the shared quest for craftsmanship, attention to detail, and eternal love of beauty shared by both countries.

"Temple" Paperweight
Gold, lapis lazuli, onyx, diamonds
(Circa 1977, Bvlgari Heritage Collection)
Courtesy of BVLGARI
"Mount Fuji" Brooch
Gold, mother-of-pearl, polychrome enamel, diamonds
Courtesy of BVLGARI