In 1919, Mario Buccellati (1891–1965) launched his eponymous jewelry house with the opening of his first shop in Milan and quickly built a reputation for his richly embellished traforato, or finely pierced goldwork. The Ancona, Italy–born jeweler’s workmanship was in a class of its own. His pieces were exquisite, yet the gemstones themselves were never too flashy, elevated instead by the designs’ intricate metalsmithing.
A love of tradition set Mario and his fine jewelry house apart in the competitive Italian market and remains a point of pride for the family, which is still closely tied to the business even as it is now owned by Richemont, a luxury conglomerate that also counts Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels among its subsidiaries.
A young Mario Buccellati apprenticed with famed goldsmith Beltrami e Besnati in the early 1900s, although many of the goldsmithing techniques synonymous with Buccellati go as far back as the Italian Renaissance. The family lineage is also said to include 18th-century jeweler Contardo Buccellati.
Owing to the founder’s advanced metalworking skills, the brand is known for designs that feature metal with the delicacy of lace and draw on the wonders of the natural world. The house’s work is typified by intricate gemstone settings that emphasize their natural color and dense engraving techniques that transform the texture of gold.
One of the time-honored engraving techniques that has come to characterize Buccellati’s work — techniques that require apprenticeships and training in the fine jeweler’s workshops — is called rigato. It involves the engraving of a precious metal with a series of parallel lines to achieve a fabric-like effect.
Rigato is on luminous display in the house’s Macri collection of earrings, cuff bracelets and other accessories. A painstaking attention to detail is pronounced in the celebrated Macri, Bartolomeo and Unica collections — witness the striking honeycomb motif, a house signature, that characterizes the Unica collection’s Caterina bracelet, for example.
The Macri collection was the work of Mario’s son, Gianmaria Buccellati, an award-winning jeweler and internationally renowned silversmith who worked to bring the brand to the global stage by overseeing the opening of boutiques in Tokyo, Paris, California and elsewhere.
In 1951, Mario opened his first store in New York City; today the company operates boutiques worldwide. In 2019, the company celebrated its centennial with a new flagship in Paris and the Vintage collection, which features some of its most enduring designs.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Buccellati jewelry, including earrings, necklaces, rings and other accessories.
Mario Buccellati Georgian Classical Sterling Silver 6-Inch Salver
By Buccellati, Mario Buccellati
Located in New York, NY
Traditional Georgian Classical sterling silver salver. Made by Mario Buccellati in Italy, ca 1970. Cast scroll rim with scallop shells and leaves; 3 leaf-capped volute-scroll support...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver George III Period (1765) Hoof-Footed Salver/Tray
By Ebenezer Coker
Located in New York, NY
Sterling silver, George III Period, hoof-footed salver, London, England, year-hallmarked for 1765, Ebenezer Coker - maker. Scroll and shell designed border. Measures almost 6 3/4 inches in diameter x 1 inch high. Weighs 6.280 troy ounces. There is a small, capital letter P monogram...
Sterling Silver
19th Century S. Kirk & Son Repoussé Sterling Silver Salver
By S. Kirk & Sons
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This elegant late 19th century silver salver was made by Baltimore, Maryland based silver manufacturer, S. Kirk & Son. The piece features an ornate chased floral shoulder finished wi...
Sterling Silver
George III Period (1764) Footed Sterling Silver Salver/Tray
By Richard Rugg
Located in New York, NY
George III Period, hoof-footed sterling silver salver/tray, London, year-hallmarked for 1764, Richard Rugg - maker. The salver is designed with a scroll and shell border, and has a l...
Sterling Silver
George VI Period Sterling Silver Footed Salver/Tray By Emile Viner
By Emile Viner
Located in New York, NY
George VI Period, sterling silver footed salver/tray (in the George III Style), Sheffield, England, year-hallmarked for 1945, Emile Viner - maker. Scalloped border. Measures 8 inches...
Sterling Silver
18th Century Sterling Silver Salver by Henry Chawner
By Henry Chawner
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George III English sterling silver salver made by Henry Chawner; an addition to our Georgian silverware...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Georgian Scottish Sterling Silver Tazza / Centerpiece
By Edward Penman
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, rare antique George I Scottish sterling silver tazza; part of our Georgian silverware collection. This exceptional antique George I Scottish sterling silver tazza has a plain circular form onto a cylindrical pedestal foot. The surface of the tazza is plain and unembellished apart from the silversmiths centre punch mark. The rim of this antique tazza...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Italian Sterling Silver Queen Ann Style Salver
By Bellotto Argenterie
Located in VALENZA, IT
Italian Sterling Silver Queen Ann Style Salver Round salver in 925 Sterling silver made entirely by hand. The tray was obtained by modeling and hammering a thick sheet of sterling si...
Sterling Silver
George III Sterling Silver Salver by Hannam & Crouch, London, 1791
By Hannam & Crouch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine antique Georgian English sterling silver salver, part of our antique dining collection. This fine antique George III sterling silver salver h...
Silver, Sterling Silver
George III period sterling silver salver by Ebeneezer Coker London 1771
By Ebenezer Coker
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1771 by Ebenezer Coker, this handsome, Antique, George III period, Sterling Silver Salver, stands on 4 flared feet, and features a shaped gadroon border, and ...
Sterling Silver
$13,100 / set
H 11 in Dm 8 in
Rare Mario Buccellati Sterling Silver 4-Piece Tea&Coffee Set w Satin Finish
By Buccellati, Mario Buccellati
Located in New York, NY
Mario Buccellati sterling silver tea and coffee set, made in a rare Buccellati technique with satin finish, with wood handles, in an elegant design, from the 20th century, consisting...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$17,249
H 0.4 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
Large Antique Georgian Oval Solid Silver Salver 1784 Platter Tray Waiter
By Smith & Sharp
Located in London, GB
An impressive Antique sterling Silver Salver in an elegant oval shape and standing on four feet. The Salver has large armorial engraved in the centre and the Salver has a classic app...
Sterling Silver
Antique Rococo Style Sterling Silver Salver Platter Tray 1902
By Walker & Hall
Located in London, GB
An elegant Antique solid Silver Salver with an unusual asymmetrical Rococo inspired cartouche shape. The Rim of the Tray is embellished with a chased border and an ornate engraved ce...
Sterling Silver