MILAN — Marking the 10th anniversary of the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation, Milan-based Skira has published a volume celebrating the career of the Milanese jeweler, who died in March 2015.
Through a series of essays written by experts in the sector and Buccellati’s friends, juxtaposed with a wide range of colorful images, “Treasure of the Foundation — Gianmaria Buccellati” highlights the signature style of the jeweler, who joined the company founded by his father Mario in 1929 and then established his namesake label in 1971.
“Through an incredible gallery of images, this book explores part of Gianmaria Buccellati’s wide production and at the same time gives an overview of his thoughts and of his personality,” said art historian Paola Venturelli, who — during her presentation — shined a light on a series of artworks, called “Precious Objects.” Buccellati started the production of these special pieces, which mainly include precious cups and luxury ornamental items, in 1970, inspired by a visit to the “Medici Treasury” collection exhibited at Florence’s Palazzo Pitti.
Among them is the “Queen’s Cup,” which Buccellati created in 2002 combining crystal, yellow gold and multicolor sapphires, as well as the 2003 upscale “Great Dame” brooch crafted by the jeweler matching an orange Melo-Melo pearl with yellow, green, red and pink gold and fancy diamonds.
The book was curated by Buccellati’s wife, Rosa Maria Bresciani Buccellati, president of the foundation, which manages the jeweler’s private collection as well as some of Mario Buccellati’s creations and sketches.
In 2017, Buccellati Holding Italia, which was established in 2011 following the merging of the Mario Buccellati and Gianmaria Buccellati companies, was acquired by the Chinese Gansu Gangtai Group, which is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The Buccellati family and former majority shareholder private equity Clessidra SGR retain a 15 percent stake in the company. Clessidra took control of Buccellati in 2013 in a deal valued at 80 million euros.