With the popularity of television shows like The White Lotus and Stanley Tucci’s culinary documentary Searching for Italy, all eyes have been turning (once again) to Italy, a country that has proved it knows a thing or two about luxury. Among the venerable Italian jewelers, Milan-based Buccellati has been around since 1919 yet seems as relevant now as it’s ever been, particularly through its vintage pieces.
Hancocks London is embracing Italian culture and honoring Buccellati this month by highlighting a beautiful and distinct bracelet design by Mario Buccellati, circa 1960.
The two-tone, oversize gold cuff is undeniably a statement piece of jewelry. Making it even more distinguished and interesting is the intricate engraving across its entire surface, which could easily be overlooked at first glance. A signature of the house, rigato engraving entails numerous shallow parallel lines that create the effect of a sumptuous, soft silk. Guy Burton, managing director of Hancocks London, emphasizes how “this cuff is a very unusual design, and it has a cool, contemporary vibe despite being around 60 years old.
“There is a simplicity to it that belies the incredible skill it takes to work gold in this way,” Burton’s statement continued. “This is a design that we’ve never seen before, so we were delighted to discover it and be able to offer it for sale, complete with its original dark blue leather and velvet box.”
The 18k yellow gold and white gold bracelet also showcases a type of etching called ornato where two fine metals overlap, meant to replicate the patterns of Renaissance brocades and damasks. Like many things Italian, and like much of Mario Buccellati’s work, this piece leaves no area untouched—everything that’s done is done with care.
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