Mario Buccellati

Mario Buccellati is renowned for his revival of intricate Renaissance-era engraving and texturing techniques, particularly the 'rigato' and 'telato' methods. Rigato involves carving very fine, parallel lines into the gold or silver to make it shimmer like silk. This unique texturing gave Buccellati jewelry a distinct, antique elegance.

Mario Buccellati officially established his eponymous jewelry house in Milan, Italy, in 1919. He took over the existing Beltrami & Beltrami storefront near the famous La Scala opera house. From there, he quickly gained international fame for his bespoke, highly detailed creations.

While he worked with gold, Mario Buccellati was also famous for his masterful use of silver, which he elevated to fine jewelry status. He often combined silver and gold, embellishing the textured metals with precious gemstones like diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. His silver pieces, often featuring animal motifs, remain highly collectible today.

Buccellati is perhaps most globally recognized for its intricate animal sculptures and its 'Buccellati honeycomb' textured yellow gold cuffs. The house is also famous for its ornate rings and bracelets that resemble fine Venetian lace. These designs remain the backbone of the modern Buccellati collections.