108 - M. BUCCELLATI: EVENING BAG WITH RUBY, DIAMONDS, SILK, AND VELVET

M. BUCCELLATI: EVENING BAG WITH RUBY, DIAMONDS, SILK, AND VELVET The red velvet bag with a silk lining and an openwork clasp, adorned with navette-cut and round-cut rubies and rose-cut diamonds, signed “M BUCCELLATI for Mario Buccellati,” metal tested for silver and 18-karat gold (750 ‰), dimensions 18 x 14 cm, gross weight 77.66 g. M. BUCCELLATI: RUBY, DIAMOND, SILK, AND VELVET EVENING PURSE The red velvet bag with a silk interior, featuring an openwork clasp set with navette- and round-cut rubies and rose-cut diamonds, signed M BUCCELLATI for Mario Buccellati; metal tested for silver and 18-karat gold; dimensions 18 x 14 cm; gross weight 77.66 grams. Footnotes: Born in Ancona in 1891, Mario Buccellati grew up in Milan, where he began an apprenticeship with the goldsmiths Beltrami and Besnati, in the heart of the La Scala district. He spent several years there training in the tradition of Italian goldsmithing before purchasing the workshop in 1919 to establish his own house. His work is distinguished by a rare technique: translating the lightness of lace, the weave of tulle, and the structure of a honeycomb into gold—a feat that would bring him fame far beyond Italy. His firm quickly counted among its clientele the royal families of Italy, Spain, and Egypt, as well as the Vatican, and the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio—a loyal client and friend—nicknamed him the “Prince of Goldsmiths.” Upon his death in 1965, his expertise was passed on to his sons, who have carried on the family business from generation to generation. Born in Ancona in 1891, Mario Buccellati grew up in Milan, where he apprenticed with the goldsmiths Beltrami e Besnati, in the district around La Scala. He spent several years there learning the tradition of Italian goldsmithing before buying out the workshop in 1919 to found his own house. His work is distinguished by a rare technique: translating the lightness of lace, the weave of tulle, and the structure of a honeycomb into gold—a feat of craftsmanship that made his name known far beyond Italy. His firm soon counted the royal families of Italy, Spain, and Egypt among its clients, along with the Vatican, and the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio—a loyal client and friend—dubbed him the “Prince of Goldsmiths.” Following his death in 1965, his expertise was passed down to his sons, who have carried on the legacy of the house from generation to generation. For further information on this lot, please visit Bonhams.com