Buccellati
Mario Buccellati (1881-1965) was a jeweler. Gabriele D’Annunzio called him the “Prince of Goldsmiths” and predicted that he would be remembered as “Mastro Paragon Coppella.” As proof of this friendship there is a book containing letters exchanged by the two men entitled Caro Mario (Dear Mario) and published by Scheiwiller. But the poet wasn’t his only fan. Buccellati counted among his clients the royal families of Italy, Spain, Belgium, and Egypt, as well as the Queen of England and the Vatican courts of Pius XI and Pius XII. Still a young boy, he was an apprentice in the workshop of Beltrami and Besnati, who were among the most important goldsmiths of the time, in Largo Santa Margherita, in Milan. In 1919 he took over the business, giving it his name. His jewels were inspired by the works of the 16th century, by Burano lace, and by lacework fabrics, while original technical solutions characterized their workmanship. Besides jewellery, he also engraved pochettes, powder compacts, cigarette cases, vases, and cups. After his death, the work was continued by four of his five sons: Lorenzo, in Milan, on via Montenapoleone, and in Florence; Luca, in New York, in the shop on 51st Street; Federico, in the shop in Rome, there since 1925; and Gianmaria, in Paris. Each of them heads a business of his own, absolutely independent in commercial decisions and corporate management.
Vass
