What is a bulla in jewellery?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
In jewellery history, a bulla is a pendant or locket formed from two concave metal discs joined at the edges to create a hollow, lens-shaped case. The word comes from Latin and means bubble or boss. Bullae were worn in ancient Rome and Etruria, particularly by freeborn Roman boys, who wore one from birth until they came of age, when the bulla was dedicated to the household gods. They were made in gold for wealthy families, leather or bronze for others, and could hold protective charms or amulets inside.
Frequently asked questions
- Who wore a bulla in ancient Rome?
- Roman boys of freeborn status wore a bulla from birth until they reached manhood at around 14 to 17 years old, when a coming-of-age ceremony was held and the bulla was removed and dedicated to the Lares, the household gods. Girls wore a different amulet called a lunula.
- What was inside a bulla?
- Bullae sometimes contained protective amulets, small charms or herbs placed inside the hollow case to guard the wearer against evil. The outside could be decorated with repoussé work or left plain depending on the family's means.
- Is a bulla related to modern lockets?
- Conceptually yes; both are hollow pendant cases designed to hold something of significance. The bulla is considered an ancestor of the locket form, which has appeared in various versions through European jewellery history from the medieval period onwards.
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