About Federico Buccellati
Born in Milan in 1960, Federico Buccellati comes from a prestigious lineage of jewelers. As the grandson of Mario Buccellati, who established the Buccellati jewelry brand in 1919, Federico carries a legacy of fine jewelry making. His designer’s path began in the 1980s, where he was working with renowned luxury brands such as Cartier and Bulgari before joining the family business.
Now serving as a creative director of Buccellati, Federico is known for his mastery of traditional Italian techniques like engraving and filigree. His designs blend elegance and contemporary flair. Federico’s jewelry pieces have been showcased in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
About Buccellati Brand
Mario Buccellati (1891-1965) established the first brand’s store in Milan in 1919. The poet Gabriele D’Annunzio titled Buccellati “the Prince of Goldsmiths” because of jeweler’s extraordinary talent of turning gold and silver into luxury art objects. Through the years this talent has been the core of the Buccellati’s style. In 1966, Gianmaria Buccellati (1929-2015) with his brother, Luca, took over the family business after their father’s death. Today the House is led by third- and fourth generation Buccellati, Honorary President and Creative Director Andrea Buccellati and his daughter, Lucrezia Buccellati Wildenstein.
Buccellati design is highly recognizable due to multiple engraving and piercing techniques applied to the pieces. Texture of gold recreating the look of Venetian lace, linen and tulle created by handmade Italian techniques inherited through generations.
The world of flora and fauna is a big source of inspiration for creating famous Buccellati brooches. Weightless Bucellati butterfly brooch, intricate flowers, or powerful birds — all those pieces are highly sought-after because of their creativity and impeccable quality. All the materials being used by the brand meet the quality standards of high-end jewelry making.
Buccellati cuff bracelets exemplify the brand’s signature style. Many of those are made using the “rigato” technique. It requires cutting multiple parallel lines onto the metal surface allowing to create that unique engraved finish.
Find Buccellati estate jewelry online here or stop by our store to see our Buccellati selection in person.
About Botanical Motifs in Jewelry Design
Botanical motifs in vintage jewelry design have an enduring appeal. Floral-inspired jewelry has always been popular, especially during the Early Victorian, Art Nouveau, and Edwardian eras. But it really took off from the Georgian period onward. Whether as the main element or a delicate touch, flowers were a favorite theme. You’d find them everywhere, from cluster rings to diamond brooches and corsages with flower sprays. Floral symbolism appeared in many pieces. Back in Victorian times, people made illustrated dictionaries to explain the secret meanings of flowers. Victorians loved using flowers to send hidden messages, so jewelry often featured all kinds of blooms, like forget-me-nots, daisies, roses, and tulips, each with its own special meaning.
Since botanical designs mimic the intricate and diverse forms found in nature, it requires a skilled maker to create a jewel. One of the most celebrated designers for their enchanting floral pieces is Van Cleef & Arpels. The Flora collection features a variety of flowers in many shapes and forms. From heart-shaped petals of Cosmos and cluster designs of Fleurette to the harmonious Lotus and extremely popular Alhambra, floral designs became a signature of the brand’s collections.
