Valeria Percossi Papi in Sofia: Roman Jewelry with History
A magical December meeting in Sofia
For a year, I had been looking forward to this moment – the chance to professionally photograph these unique jewels and share their magic with you. And then, on a cold December day in Sofia, Bulgaria, the dream became reality. I met Valeria Percossi Papi, the creative soul behind the legendary Roman jewelry brand Percossi Papi, and we spent hours talking about art, history, and beauty. The atmosphere felt truly magical – like stepping into Renaissance Rome in the heart of a Sofia winter.
Percossi Papi – a Roman jewelry brand with heritage
Percossi Papi is a family-owned jewelry brand founded in 1968 by Diego Percossi Papi in a small atelier near the Pantheon in Rome. Today, Valeria and her brother Giuliano continue this tradition, with each jewel being 100% handcrafted using ancient techniques – micromosaic, cloisonné enamel, precious stones, and gold.
Inspiration is drawn from the Renaissance, Byzantine art, Roman mythology, and the Baroque architecture of Bernini and Borromini. The collections resemble miniature works of art: Sun & Moon, Ex Voto, Animals, Ocean…
From cinema to icons: Percossi Papi on screen
Did you know these jewels are true cinema stars? The brand has created jewelry pieces for films such as Elizabeth: The Golden Age (starring Cate Blanchett, which won an Oscar for Costume Design), Murder on the Orient Express (with Judi Dench), Alatriste, and many others. Most exciting of all, the iconic Sophia Loren wore Percossi Papi jewelry in Francesca e Nunziata (2001), directed by Lina Wertmüller. Jewels worthy of queens – both on screen and in real life.
A personal conversation with Valeria Percossi Papi
During our meeting in Sofia, I had the opportunity to ask Valeria a few quick questions. Here is what she shared:
What inspires you most when creating new collections – ancient art or contemporary trends?
VPP: For me, inspiration is never a choice between ancient art and contemporary trends. Ancient art is my natural language, it is where my imagination was formed. Contemporary life enters later, almost subconsciously, through proportion, rhythm, and sensitivity. I don’t follow trends, but I live in the present. What I try to do is transform memory into something alive, something that can speak today. When a jewel works, it feels timeless, not historical and not fashionable, but suspended between past and present.
Which piece is your favorite among all the jewelry you have created, and why?
VPP: It’s very difficult to choose just one piece, because each jewel is connected to a moment, an intuition, an emotion. But I am particularly attached to pieces where symbol and colour find a perfect balance. Often these are pieces born almost instinctively, where the drawing comes very quickly, as if it were already there waiting to emerge. Those jewels feel more like encounters than creations, and they stay with you longer.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to wear statement jewelry like yours in everyday life?
VPP: Wear it naturally, without overthinking it. Statement jewelry doesn’t need a special occasion; it creates the occasion. I always suggest pairing it with simple, effortless clothing and letting the jewel speak. A strong piece has its own presence, almost its own voice. When you wear it with confidence and ease, it becomes part of you, not something that overwhelms you, but something that reveals you.
Jewelry with a soul: timeless statement pieces
This encounter inspired me even more. Percossi Papi jewelry has a soul each piece tells a story and adds a sense of magic to every outfit. Perfect as statement accents paired with a simple, effortless look.
If you love unique, handcrafted jewelry with history, be sure to explore percossipapi.com.
Thank you, Valeria, for this magical day in Sofia.
Photos: Tihomira Krumova
