MARIO BUCCELLATI SILVER BOX

[ARGENTUM49]

Mario Buccellati started family business in the thirties, 20th century.
They still make silver and jewelry of the highest quality. I have contacted his grandson Luca Buccellati and his letter is quoted here, omitting only private details:

`` Dear Mr Milovic,thank you for sending us the picture, I checked carefully the silver box. We have some silver boxes available here in our Milano Store, Via Montanapoleone, that are really similar to the one showed in the pictures.It was made, approximately in the 50’s. Mario Buccellati trade mark is still 15 MI (MI for Milano, and 15 as the fifteenth Company, in Milano, that made the requirement application in order to be recognized by the Italian law in 1934). Unfortunately, sometimes my grandfather forgot to put the trade mark on silver and gold jewelry.
In your beautiful silver box it was forgotten.I’m quite sure that was made in the early 50’s because we started that production during that period. The engraving in your box is called “Il Laghetto” it’s a piece of art! Congratulation Mr Milovic. If you are planning a trip to Italy, please fell free to call me ……. (office) I’ll be more the happy to show you our silver boxes and my personal private collection of jewelry and silver pieces (some of those don’t have the trade mark….!). Thank you very much and best regards.Luca Buccellati``

Unfortunately they seem not to have any records of the masters working for them. Still, Mr.Luca Buccellati provided valuable information about very optional hallmarking !
I would appreciate very much any additional information regarding initials g.b. (possibly the engraver, or an abbreviation that is known to Italian speaking members of the forum.
Also, can you help with the technique Mr.Luca Buccellati described as ``Il Laghetto`` ?

Ivan

[ARGENTUM49]

Additional picture with the signature and g.b. abbreviation at the end (only two pictures are accepted in the post)
I may be wrong - why should one not sign with capital letters - the first may be number ``9``. In his information Mr Luca Buccellati did not explain that and unfortunately, I did not insist on it.My primary concern was dating the box, because one of his grandsons is also Mario Buccellati.
For those who are interested in their current production of the boxes engraved with Moslem sacred places, they are easily found elwhere with key words ``Buccellati silver boxes``. I hope I do not brake any forum rule with this information. It is only for research of the technique they still use, not for commercial reasons - Buccellati does not need any commercial promotion - they are too famous.

Ivan