Around 1750, Contardo Buccellati set up shop in Milan. Since that time, jewelry and silversmith making has remained the central occupation of the Buccellati Family. Mario Buccellati (1891-1965) opened his first store in Milan in 1919, a former site which had served as a studio for jewelers for 200 years. As his reputation grew, his name became one of the foremost in jewelry and silver design and additional stores were opened throughout Italy, and United States, including New York and Palm Beach.
During the 20th century the Buccellati House enjoyed patronage of the Holy See, Royal Houses and important business and social leaders. Mario Buccellati, dubbed the "Prince of Goldsmiths" by Gabriele d'Annunzio, revived the use of specialized jeweler tools to create precise and exquisite patterns in gold and silver. His son, Gianmaria, continued the family tradition expanding the business into Paris, Venice, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Moscow, Aspen with further distribution throughout the United States, and London where he has opened a boutique in the prestigious Brown's Hotel in Mayfair. Jewels and silver items presented in the various stores exemplify the types of engraving techniques which showcase the exquisite finish of hand made workmanship that sets - today - the House of Buccellati apart from any other firms.
Unlike the Houses that rely on hired designers and the work of contract craftsmen, the Buccellati Group preserves the tradition of the Italian 'bottega' through the making of unique designs conceived and sketched by Gianmaria and Andrea Buccellati, and maintaining its own workshops of highly skilled artisans. Buccellati is still today a family Enterprise where family members assist Gianmaria Buccellati including his wife Rosie, who is active on the commercial side, and his three children. Gino the eldest, manages the silver sector, Andrea, manages the American and the Italian companies and along with Gianmaria is responsible for design and production, Maria Cristina, the youngest, is in charge of watches, marketing, and communication of the brand.
Gold laces, cascades of rare stones, the mysterious shimmer of precious metals are all the result of more than two hundred years of the Buccellati family's artistic creativity and the affirmation of a timeless style and unique talent. Buccellati is both an ancient and modern story where the foundation is rooted in rich historical tradition, yet the activity is completely infused with modernity. The craftsmanship of Buccellati jewels may be compared to the creation of fine laces. The sources of inspiration are, among others, the precious laces of Venice, Bruges and Valenciennes. The craftsmen, faithful to the designs of Gianmaria and Andrea, pierce by hand fine gold sheets on which the lace design is traced. Then, with patience and great dexterity, they pierce again and again, up to the smallest and most delicate of patterns. One slip of the hand saw and the work must be started all over again. This historical talent is perfectly mastered by the highly skilled craftsmen of the company who have learned the most antique and the Renaissance techniques. The extensive use of texture engraving therefore remains one the most identifiable element of the jewels and silver objects created by Gianmaria and Andrea Buccellati in their Milanese work-shops. Precious gold worked in this way, attracts and gives off the light offering the most beautiful reflections on the jewels.
The most renowned engraving techniques are:
Rigato: This engraving is based on parallel lines cut onto the surface of metal to obtain a sheen effect, often used on the cuffs.
Telato: It is a texture obtained by fine cross-hatched lines. The ultimate result is of a little less luminosity, but looks like linen.
Segrinato: The result of this third technique is maybe less luminous, but surely softest, and is obtained by engraving in every possible directions, overlapping textures.
Ornato: This complicate technique reflects decorations inspired by nature (animals, leaves, flowers). In other words, we may consider this technique as the featuring of the pure design, which reproduces any images alike the design of the most famous "Maestros" of the past. Modellato: This is the most delicate engraving technique, which consists of reproducing several designs chiselled in three dimensions on a minuscule scale, mainly used for the decorations of the borders.
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