The Prince of Goldsmiths: Buccellati Exhibition Opens in Shanghai

The Shanghai Exhibition Center has opened “The Prince of Goldsmiths: Buccellati – Rediscovering the Classics,” an exhibition showcasing the Italian jewelry house’s artistic and craft heritage. Running from December 7, 2025, to January 5, 2026, the exhibition traces four generations of Buccellati’s work, highlighting the evolution of the house’s distinctive style and its enduring approach to handcraftsmanship.

Founded in Milan in 1919 by Mario Buccellati, the house quickly gained recognition for its distinctive approach to goldsmithing, drawing inspiration from Renaissance techniques and Italian decorative arts. Mario’s vision combined precise hand engraving, sculptural reliefs, and intricate openwork to create pieces with textures reminiscent of fabric, lace, or natural forms. These methods remain at the heart of Buccellati’s identity today.

The exhibition in Shanghai traces this legacy across generations. Visitors can see the work of Mario Buccellati alongside creations by his sons and grandsons, including Gianmaria and Andrea, whose contributions helped expand the house internationally while preserving its technical vocabulary. Signature techniques such as rigato, telato, and segrinato are on display, revealing the labor-intensive processes that distinguish Buccellati jewelry from mass-produced pieces.

Silverware and decorative objects are presented alongside jewelry, highlighting Mario Buccellati’s belief that silversmithing and jewelry-making share the same artistic foundation. From embossed vessels inspired by Roman antiquities to sculpted home objects with natural motifs, the exhibition demonstrates how historical forms are reinterpreted for modern use.

Curated by Alba Cappellieri and produced by Balich Wonder Studio, the Shanghai edition expands upon the Venice 2024 presentation with interactive rooms and new archival materials. Visitors gain insight into the family’s ongoing creative dialogue, the evolution of the brand’s style, and the enduring principles that have guided Buccellati from Milan to the world stage.

The exhibition offers not just a glimpse into a historic jewelry house, but an opportunity to understand how skill, family tradition, and a respect for art history continue to shape Buccellati’s work today.