Dinnerware Diary

Fantastic European Artistry

 
Queen Victoria by Herend China is a gorgeous pattern featuring a vibrant array of colors, exotic flowering trees, and graceful butterflies, accented by dazzling gold trim. This colorful pattern is the perfect representation of Herend's exquisite artistry. The original Herend factory was established in Hungary by Vince Stingl in 1826. The firm focused primarily on the production of stoneware, but it also experimented with various methods for producing high-quality porcelain that could compete with the porcelain imported into Europe from Asia. In 1839, Mor Fischer gained control of the company and began successfully reproducing many popular porcelain patterns. His works were recognized for their excellence at the Hungarian Art Exhibition, the Vienna Exhibition of 1845, the New York World Exhibition in 1853, and the Paris Exhibition of 1855. The pattern that would become Queen Victoria was first presented during the London World Exhibition in 1851. There, it caught the eye of Queen Victoria, who ordered a large table service in the pattern for Windsor Castle. The pattern was subsequently named Queen Victoria, and, along with Rothschild Bird, became one of Herend's most popular designs.

Featuring a beautiful variety of polished cuts on a convex bowl, a multisided stem, and a starburst cut on a round foot, Seahorse crystal by Waterford is an exquisite pattern. With its elaborate, eye-catching design, Seahorse is an especially fine accompaniment to Queen Victoria china and Quirinale flatware. Waterford Crystal dates back to the Flint Glass Works, founded in 1783 on the quay in the port town of Waterford when George and William Penrose opened the Flint Glass Works. In 1788, Waterford produced a glassware service as a gift to her Majesty, Charlotte Sophia, wife to King George III. The King and Queen were so charmed by the crystal service that they ordered the set to be displayed at Cheltenham castle. Today "Waterford" is synonymous with fine crystal, and is found in households around the world.

Buccellati Silver Quirinale is a gorgeous sterling pattern that features superb asymmetrical scroll ornamentation and a glossy finish. Quirinale is emblematic of its maker, Buccellati Silver. Buccellati is a name known in the silver world since the 1750s, when Contardo Buccellati gained renown as a goldsmith in Milan, Italy. In 1903, one of Contardo's descendents, Mario Buccellati, continued the family tradition when he began working as an apprentice at Beltrami & Beltrami, a jewelry firm located near the La Scala opera house in Milan. By 1919, Mario had taken over the company, and focused on the art of engraving. He gained acclaim with his Renaissance-inspired designs and detailed engraving and piercing methods that made his pieces resemble fine fabrics like linen, tulle, and lace. Mario's exquisite artistry prompted Italian poet Gabriele D'Annunzio to refer to him as the "prince of goldsmiths." Over the years, Buccellati has crafted jewelry for the royal families of Italy, Spain, and Egypt. Today, the Buccellati firm continues its tradition of excellence under the leadership of the Buccellati family.

Inspired Designs from France

 
Haviland Regis Gold is rimmed, scallop-shaped white porcelain, accented by a delicate, geometrical gold border on the rim, and ornate, gold-encrusted trim, with heraldic designs in gold on the edge. Produced from 1969 to 1990, the pattern is recent, but is redolent of Regency design. In 1841 David Haviland of D.G. & D. Haviland Trading Co., New York, embarked with his wife, Mary, and son, Charles, for France. Their destination was Limoges, a city 200 miles southeast of Paris, world-renowned for its production of fine porcelain. The region was rich in kaolin, cream-colored clay that yielded superior porcelain. Haviland, intent on producing the world's finest china, obtained permits from the French government to build a state-of-the-art china factory in 1853. Within two years Haviland's keen business sense and American ingenuity had aided him in establishing one of the most advanced china producing facilities of its time.

Baccarat Colbert (Cut) crystal features a concave bowl with distinctive arched, criss-cross cuts on the side, a multi-sided stem with faceted knob, and a round foot with starburst cuts. In 1764 King Louis XV of France granted the Bishop Montmorency-Laval of Metz rights to build a glassworks in the town of Baccarat. By the 1830s the company was producing crystal glassware, candelabras, and banisters for palaces and manor houses in England and across Europe - even crystal hookahs for Constantinople! By the end of the 19th century, Baccarat crystal was known throughout the world. In 1885 orders poured in from India, the United States, England, Mexico, and Brazil. Baccarat crystal has graced the tables of King Louis XVIII, King Charles X, Emperor Napoleon III, and many French presidents.

Wallace Silver Grande Baroque sterling is a pierced design, scallop-shaped, with lavish scroll, bead, and garland features on the tip of the handle and the heel of the utensil. First produced in 1941, the design was created by master silversmith William S. Warren to celebrate the art of the Baroque period, when King Louis XIV of France called for art that was more ornate and grandiose than the art of the Renaissance. Louis believed this dramatic new style in art and architecture would impress foreign visitors with the triumphant power of France. In designing Grande Baroque, silversmith Warren drew upon his knowledge of Renaissance and Baroque art to create a true masterpiece in sterling. Wallace Silver, founded in Connecticut nearly 200 years ago, has long been recognized for excellence in tableware craftsmanship - Grande Baroque is one of the company's most-admired creations!

Italian Influence, American Design

 
Inspired by the Italian coastline, the rustic Napoli stoneware pattern by Pfaltzgraff showcases a vibrant color palette of oranges, greens, yellows, and blues. Various pieces of this charming multi-motif pattern feature colorful flowers, roosters, and fruits. The Pfaltzgraff Pottery Company was founded in America by German immigrants. George Falsgraff, a potter and farmer by trade, opened a pottery in 1811 on 21 acres of land in York County, PA. In 1833, Johann George Pfaltzgraff moved from Germany to the area, and partnered with Falsgraff to locate a pottery factory in Freystown, PA. In 1839, the factory began producing earthenware using local red clay. In 1849, Pfaltzgraff sold the Freystown pottery, and moved to a more rural location outside of town. When Johann George died in 1872, his five sons took over the business, and expanded their lines to include stronger salt-glazed stoneware, and other pieces made from high quality imported clay. In 1894, two of Johann George's sons, Henry and George teamed up to build a new, modern production facility to streamline and increase production. The factory was built next to a rail line to further increase the spread of Pfaltzgraff products. Most of the company's records were lost when this factory burned down in 1906, but we do know that over the years the company changed locations and grew, diversifying into glassware and flatware, and eventually emerging as a leader in the American dinnerware market.

The understated elegance of Mikasa Crystal Venezia is a wonderful complement to the charming Napoli china and Artesia flatware patterns featured this week. This chic blown glass design features a bowl that curves in at the top, a graceful stem and a round foot. In the early 1930s, Mikasa was established as an international trading company based in Secaucus, New Jersey. The company, while wholly American, looked to Japan for inspiration. Named in honor of Prince Mikasa, the youngest brother of Emperor Hirohito, Mikasa soon established itself as one of the most recognized Japanese brand names in the West. Importing merchandise produced by a network of over 150 manufacturers worldwide, the company itself never attempted to make any of the dinnerware it sold. Rather, the Mikasa branded items were imported from Japan, Ireland, England, France, and Germany. Business exploded in the 1950s, and tableware became the staple business for Mikasa. Customer requests were pouring in from all parts of the country, and department stores including Bloomingdale's and Macy's could not keep enough stock to meet demand. Consumers found Mikasa ceramics to be very strong, versatile, and stylish. By the beginning of the 1960s, Mikasa had established a reputation as "the pioneer of American casual." Today, Mikasa continues to leverage the momentum it has built over the decades since its inception.

Artesia by Pfaltzgraff Silver is 18/8 stainless flatware (18/8 represents the ratio of chromium and nickel used in the stainless steel, which adds luster and durability to the pieces) featuring a scalloped tip, a glossy finish, and a delightful shell motif. The whimsical design of the Artesia pattern is a wonderful complement to the vibrant colors in Napoli china and the playful contours of Venezia crystal. This pattern is sure to add a touch of excitement to any table! Pfaltzgraff is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year - a landmark achievement in tableware production. As Pfaltzgraff literature states, "Pfaltzgraff has a long-standing tradition of excellence in craftsmanship, quality and service. Today, like never before and like nowhere else, this tradition extends to the finest, widest variety of home products available in the best home brands. This commitment to being responsive to its customers, and to adapting its products and policies to their ever-changing needs, has enabled Pfaltzgraff to prosper for almost two centuries."

Star-Crossed Lovers in a Classic Design

 
Booths Real Old Willow-Blue is scallop-shaped, blue and white rimmed china featuring exquisite gold trim and the classic "Old Willow" design, adapted from Chinese lore about star-crossed lovers in the court of a Mandarin. Many English and American companies employed this popular design in various colors - Booths' blue and white design is distinguished by its gold trim and combination of geometric and "bow knot" designs on the rim of the plate. The company was founded as Thomas Booth & Son in 1872 at Church Bank Pottery in Tunstall, located in the legendary Staffordshire pottery-making region of England. The company operated as Booths (Limited) from 1891 until 1948, when it closed its doors. Real Old Willow-Blue, introduced in 1942, is one of Booths' most beautiful and best-known patterns.

With its elegantly clean shape, Fostoria Classic Gold is a wonderful complement to the ornate design of Booths Real Old Willow-Blue china. Featuring a convex bowl with gold trim, a multi-sided stem, and round foot, this Fostoria pattern was very popular glassware - it was produced from 1958 to 1982. In fact, Classic Gold was one of the last patterns Fostoria manufactured. Founded in 1887 in Fostoria, OH, the company was moved to Moundsville, WV, a short time later, where, after meeting decades of stiff foreign competition with its classic designs and innovative glass-making methods, Fostoria operations were shut down by its parent company, Lancaster Colony, in 1983. Fostoria glass is highly sought-after by collectors today.

Towle Old Master is one of the most popular sterling silver patterns at Replacements, Ltd. Introduced in 1942, Old Master is scallop-shaped, with a scroll design on the edge, a floral design on the center of the handle, and a fan/plume design at the tip. Towle is founded on the craftsmanship and artistry of the Moulton family of England, who over six generations of silver making, raised their artisanship to a high art. A young man named Anthony Towle would join William Moulton IV as an apprentice. When Moulton decided to retire, Towle and a partner, William Jones, bought the Moulton family stock and formed Towle & Jones in 1857. With such a long history and distinguished tradition, Towle's Old Master is a pattern with a name that resonates with skill and pride in craft.

Exquisite Traditional Designs

 
Known for its various motifs of legendary castles and estates in England, Johnson Brothers Old Britain Castles-Pink is the epitome of tradition. The pattern was first produced in 1930 - the dinner plate featured here depicts the Blarney Castle in Ireland (site of the famed "Blarney Stone") as it appeared in 1792. Johnson Brothers china is known for producing beautiful, high-quality tableware. The company was founded in 1882, when brothers Alfred, Fredrick, and Henry Johnson (grandsons of the famous Meakin dinnerware family) purchased the Charles Street Works at Stoke-on-Trent in the legendary china-producing region of Staffordshire, England. Producing basic whiteware known as "semi-porcelain," the Johnson brothers created dinnerware that had the delicate characteristics of fine china, but the durability of ironstone. In 1900, a fourth brother, Robert, relocated to the United States to establish a presence for the company in North America.

Royal Doulton Angelique crystal features a multi-sided stem, a squarish bowl that flares at the top, and dazzling criss-cross, fan, and geometric cuts. The pattern beautifully represents the production excellence for which Royal Doulton has become world renowned. Founded as Doulton and Watts in Lambeth, England, in 1815, the company produced both household and industrial ceramics. John Doulton's sons, who had joined their father in the business, eventually formed companies of their own. But turmoil in the British financial markets forced the businesses to dissolve. In 1853, they reformed as Doulton and Co. (In 1901, King Edward VII conferred a Royal Warrant upon Doulton and Co. to honor the company's production of ceramic vessels that successfully filtered pollutants from the water of the Thames River, London's primary source for drinking water.)

Oneida Coronation is a stylish silverplate pattern that features a ribbed handle, a pierced, floral design, and a glossy finish. Oneida began production of Coronation in 1936, and the understated floral elegance of this pattern serves as a wonderful complement to the Old Britain Castles-Pink china and Angelique crystal patterns. Oneida, Ltd. grew out of the original Oneida Community founded in upstate New York by John Humphrey Noyes in 1848. This Christian communal society was based upon the principles of individual self-perfection and shared property. Many products were manufactured by the Oneida Community, including animal traps, silk, chains, and, eventually, some of the world's most recognizable, high-quality, and beautifully designed flatware. During World War I and World War II, Oneida began producing many products for the U.S. military, including ammunition clips, combat knives, surgical instruments, and silverware for the Army and Navy. When stainless steel was introduced to the market in the early twentieth century, it failed to make an immediate impression on the flatware industry. Oneida, however, decided to shift its focus from sterling to stainless flatware production. Strong research and development greatly improved the quality of stainless steel as a dinnerware material, facilitating Oneida's success in the stainless flatware market. Today, Oneida, Ltd. is one of the world's largest marketers of stainless steel flatware, positioned to continue being a leader in the tableware industry for generations to come.

Kirk Stieff Lafayette Silver Water Goblet

This beautiful sterling silver water goblet produced by Kirk Stieff Silver is inscribed: "To David Williamson by Genl. LaFayette 1824." In 1824, Lafayette commissioned Samuel Kirk to create a pair of sterling water goblets as a present for David Williamson, who hosted Lafayette in Baltimore, MD during his grand tour of America. This water goblet is a reproduction of the goblets created for Lafayette, who received a hero's welcome in America fifty years after he helped the country achieve its independence.

 
The Marquis de Lafayette (often referred to simply as "Lafayette") was born in France on September 6, 1757. Lafayette was born into one of the oldest families in France, and descended from long line of soldiers stretching back to ancestors who served during the Crusades and in Joan of Arc's army. He joined France's Royal Army when he was only fourteen years old, and within two years he was a second lieutenant in a regiment commanded by his uncle. It was around this time that Lafayette first learned of the burgeoning revolution in the U.S., and vowed to help the American colonies in their struggle for independence. In 1777, at the age of nineteen, Lafayette purchased a ship and set sail for the U.S. He landed near Charleston, SC, and travelled to Philadelphia, where his offer to serve in the U.S. military was initially rebuffed. However, after Lafayette expressed a willingness to serve without compensation, Congress relented and bestowed upon him the rank of Major General.

Aided by a recommendation written by Benjamin Franklin, Lafayette joined the staff of General George Washington; it was to be the beginning of a lifelong friendship between the two. Lafayette distinguished himself early on, rallying troops for an orderly retreat during the Battle of Brandywine before allowing himself to be treated for a gunshot wound to the leg. After several months of recovery, Lafayette rejoined Washington at Valley Forge, and in the spring of 1778, he assisted with the pursuit of the British army as they left Philadelphia and retreated to New York. Lafayette returned to Paris at the beginning of 1779, where he worked with Benjamin Franklin to secure more soldiers and supplies for the American cause. Lafayette returned to the U.S. in 1781, and was sent to Virginia, where his tactical prowess helped force British General Cornwallis's surrender in Yorktown. Having gained recognition from both Congress and General Washington for his valuable service, Lafayette returned to France where he was made commander of the National Guard. After enduring years of political unrest in France which resulted in his imprisonment and exile, Lafayette eventually gained his freedom after personal appeals from powerful political figurines, both in the U.S. and France.

 
In 1824, Lafayette was invited by President James Monroe to take a tour of America, in part to celebrate the nation's fiftieth anniversary. During this year-long tour of the country, Lafayette visited all twenty-four states and was given an enthusiast reception by notable politicians, distinguished citizens, and adoring crowds. During this year of adulation and fanfare, Lafayette gained honorary citizenship in many states, in addition to a $200,000 grant and a 23,000 acre tract of land in Florida provided by Congress. Lafayette returned to France in 1825, where he served as a prominent public figure until his death in 1834. At Lafayette's funeral, soil from Bunker Hill was scattered over his grave.

The maker of the featured goblet, Kirk Stieff Silver, is the culmination of two great Baltimore, MD, traditions. Charles Stieff founded Stieff Silver in 1892; Samuel Kirk founded his silversmith firm much earlier, in 1815 (Kirk's firm is acknowledged as the oldest silversmith company in America). From their inception, both companies were recognized for innovative design and master craftsmanship.

Samuel Kirk began his silver career as an apprentice to James Howell in Philadelphia. In 1815, he partnered with John Smith to open a small shop in Baltimore, Maryland. It was during this time, early in the company's history, that Kirk introduced America to an ancient style of silver craftsmanship known as "repousse," in which artisans hammer a design into the inside surface of a piece of metal so that the ornamentation appears in relief on the outside. The partnership between Kirk and Smith was dissolved in 1820, and Kirk continued the business as the sole owner. Kirk's customers included Maria Monroe (daughter of President James Monroe), who choose Kirk's Mayflower as the silver pattern for her White House wedding. Other customers included many of Maryland's most prominent families, along with the Bonapartes and, of course, Lafayette. Samuel's eldest son, Henry, joined the firm in 1846, and Samuel worked diligently as the company's president until his death in 1872.

 
Henry operated alone until his son, Henry Jr., joined him in 1890. Under their guidance, the business prospered. Kirk silver products began to garner attention outside of Maryland, and their client list grew to include Belmonts, Astors, and Roosevelts, among other prestigious and wealthy families around the nation. During World War II, the company was reorganized to produce, among other things, surgical instruments and metal hardware. The early 1950s brought a great demand for silver, and Kirk saw continued success. However, as silver demand began to decline in the 1960s, the Kirk Corporation (as it was then known) began to struggle. The company sold its assets to the Stieff Company, a neighboring competitor, in 1979. Stieff's acquisition of Kirk was an exciting combination of two of America's most influential silver firms. Still, lessened demand for silver products resulted in Kirk Stieff's sale to Lenox, Inc. in 1990. Today, a variety of the original Kirk and Stieff patterns are produced Lifetime Brands, which purchased Kirk Stieff in 2007. 

Colorful Fruit Motifs, American Artistry

 
The Fresh Fruit pattern by Franciscan features various fruit designs rendered with  "California casual" style and color. This hand-painted earthenware pattern was produced from 1980 to 1983. The Fresh Fruit pattern includes 25 different piece types, most of which were produced using existing shapes from earlier Franciscan patterns. When California-based Franciscan tableware premiered in 1934, it was practically an overnight success. The glamour of the emerging film industry and the state's climate seemed exotic to Midwesterners and those living on the East Coast. The "Golden State" became a very popular tourist destination. And Franciscan's bright-colored, less expensive "earthenware" grew in popularity as American consumers began to recover from the Great Depression. The company's now-legendary line of hand-painted, raised-pattern designs includes Desert Rose, Apple, and Ivy. At the pinnacle of its fame, Franciscan pieces were purchased by some of America's most famous families. Noteworthy are the 1961 order by Jacqueline Kennedy for Desert Rose to be used on Air Force One, and the 1969 selection of Franciscan china by President Richard Nixon for service aboard the Presidential yacht. Other orders for special services for royalty from around the world were also filled.

Featuring a raised fruit-motif design that incorporates brilliant bursts of color, Della Robbia-Flashed by Westmoreland Crystal is a pattern of distinctive style. This water goblet has great presence on the table, and is a fantastic complement to the bold floral design found in the Fresh Fruit china pattern. The Westmoreland Glass Company was founded in 1889 in Grapeville, PA, near Pittsburgh. Della Robbia-Flashed was one of the many patterns the Westmoreland Glass Company produced over nearly a century of glass making. In 1969, a group of collectors gathered to found the National Westmoreland Glass Collectors Club. Through its newsletter and regular meetings, the group works to expand knowledge about the Westmoreland Glass Company and its glassware, and to preserve this important heritage.

The understated elegance of Mikasa Silver Trapunto D'Oro is a wonderful complement to the more elaborate Fresh Fruit china and Della Robbia-Flashed crystal patterns featured this week. This elegant stainless steel pattern features a glossy finish and tasteful gold accents, including a golden ridge that runs along the center of the handle. In the early 1930s, Mikasa was established as an international trading company based in Secaucus, New Jersey. The company, while wholly American, looked to Japan for inspiration. Named in honor of Prince Mikasa, the youngest brother of Emperor Hirohito, Mikasa soon established itself as one of the most recognized Japanese brand names in the West. Importing merchandise produced by a network of over 150 manufacturers worldwide, the company itself never attempted to make any of the dinnerware it sold. Rather, the Mikasa branded items were imported from Japan, Ireland, England, France, and Germany. Business exploded in the 1950s, and tableware became the staple business for Mikasa. Customer requests were pouring in from all parts of the country, and department stores including Bloomingdale's and Macy's could not keep enough stock to meet demand. Consumers found Mikasa ceramics to be very strong, versatile, and stylish. By the beginning of the 1960s, Mikasa had established a reputation as "the pioneer of American casual." Today, Mikasa continues to leverage the momentum it has built over the decades since its inception. 

Applied Art, Remarkable Beauty

 
Coalport China Ming Rose is scallop-shaped, rimmed fine bone china with a lavishly rendered floral design at the center, outlined by a geometric border, with scattered floral designs on the rim, and a geometric floral design trimmed with gold on the outside edge. The English company Coalport, located in Shropshire, was founded by John Rose, who at the very beginning of the 19th century was involved with different partners, and manufactured primarily hard-paste porcelain wares, sometimes supplying them as blanks for final decoration in London. Around 1814, Rose apparently began working mostly in bone china. Many patterns produced by the company in the 19th century show the influence of Rococo art, and like Ming Rose, are truly remarkable in their beauty.

With a convex bowl and gold trim, Lenox Crystal Monroe (Gold Trim) features a flower petal design connecting the bowl to the twist design of the stem, and a round foot. The clean design of this crystal beautifully complements the rich colors and gold trim of Coalport China's Ming Rose and the elegance of Gorham's Buttercup sterling. Founded in 1889 by Walter Scott Lenox in Trenton, NJ, the "Staffordshire of America" in its time, the Lenox Ceramic Pottery Company produced art-quality pieces. By 1897 examples of Lenox's work were displayed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. In 1918 President and Mrs. Woodrow Wilson commissioned a set of Lenox for the White House, making it the first American china to grace a president's table. Lenox introduced its line of hand-blown crystal in 1966.

Making its debut during the reign of Queen Victoria, Buttercup sterling silver by Gorham is an exquisite example of the Greco-Roman applied art popular during the period. It features a scalloped shape, with an intricate design of buttercups, scrolls, and leaves, and a spray of buttercups at the bowl of the utensil. Produced from 1899 to around 1950, Gorham Buttercup includes a large selection of sterling silver place setting and serving pieces. The pattern is also available in magnificent hollowware, including tea sets. Afternoon tea, like the Buttercup pattern, was a staple of Victorian England - made popular by Anna Maria Stanhope, the Seventh Duchess of Bedford.

Opulent French and Italian Designs

 
The elegant Mon Jardin pattern by Ceralene is adorned with a variety of colorful floral designs in a multitude of vibrant hues. Produced by Raynaud, Ceralene is "continental" china, the hardest of three primary types of china produced today. Fired at nearly 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit, Ceralene's thin body is perfectly white and translucent (before decoration) with a fine, clear "ring" when tapped. Raynaud, a manufacturer known and recognized since 1894 as a leader in applied art in tableware design, was established in Limoges, France, a city renowned for its artistry in fine porcelain. According to Ceralene company literature, Ceralene china "... is different from any other Limoges marketed today in both quality and styling. Many patterns are exact reproductions or adaptations of museum pieces of the 18th century. They constitute a truly distinctive china in the best French table tradition." Our featured Mon Jardin pattern is a wonderful example of Ceralene's dedication to artistry and quality in applied ceramic arts.

Baccarat Directoire (Gold Trim) crystal features a clean, streamlined shape with gold trim on the bowl and foot. With its round foot and multi-sided stem, Directoire (Gold Trim) is a magnificent example of European crystal making with strong Modern influence - it was produced from 1931 to 1961! In 1764, King Louis XV of France granted the Bishop Montmorency-Laval of Metz rights to build a glassworks in the town of Baccarat. By the 1830s the company was producing crystal glassware, candelabras, and banisters for palaces and manor houses in England and across Europe - even crystal hookahs for Constantinople! By the end of the nineteenth century, Baccarat crystal was known throughout the world. In 1885, orders poured in from India, the United States, England, Mexico, and Brazil. Baccarat crystal has graced the tables of King Louis XVIII, King Charles X, Emperor Napoleon III, and many French presidents.

Buccellati Silver Parma is a gorgeous sterling pattern that features an outlined edge design and a glossy finish. While Parma is very stylish, its understated design is an ideal complement to the Mon Jardin and Directoire patterns. Parma is emblematic of its maker, Buccellati Silver. Buccellati is a name known in the silver world since the 1750s, when Contardo Buccellati gained renown as a goldsmith in Milan, Italy. In 1903, one of Contardo's descendents, Mario Buccellati, continued the family tradition when he began working as an apprentice at Beltrami & Beltrami, a jewelry firm located near the La Scala opera house in Milan. By 1919, Mario had taken over the company, and focused on the art of engraving. He gained acclaim with his Renaissance-inspired designs and detailed engraving and piercing methods that made his pieces resemble fine fabrics like linen, tulle, and lace. Mario's exquisite artistry prompted Italian poet Gabriele D'Annunzio to refer to him as the "prince of goldsmiths." Over the years, Buccellati has crafted jewelry for the royal families of Italy, Spain, and Egypt. Today, the Buccellati firm continues its tradition of excellence under the leadership of the Buccellati family.