Rare vintage 20th century Gianmaria Buccellati figural eggplant tea caddy spoon

This rare vintage Gianmaria Buccellati figural eggplant tea caddy spoon is a piece of Italian luxury. Founded in 1919 after the First World War, this 4 generation Italian luxury house remains one of the best in the world when it comes to contemporary silver for those in the know. Gianmaria Buccellati, launched by the founder Mario Buccellati’s son, had been a separate company from 1971 to 2011 when the two merged under the Buccellati name. Both father and son were master goldsmiths, with the former known during his lifetime as “The Prince of Goldsmiths” and the latter founding the Italian Gemological Institute, of which he was the president for 25 years. Patrons include Pope Pius XII, members of European royalty as well as celebrities (Rihanna, Jessica Alba, Deepika Paduone and Alexa Chung have all been spotted in Buccellati pieces).

This figural spoon by Gianmaria Buccellati is beautifully shaped as an eggplant, and could be used as a tea caddy spoon. A rare and highly collectible piece in a discontinued design from an important part of this firm’s history. Similar designs are available from other sellers online ranging from $700 to $1300 AUD; however, the eggplant design is particularly rare and at the time of writing, ours is the only one we have found to be available online.

Price marked at $900 AUD
Measurements: 7.8cm length, 37.6 grams.
Excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Thick gauge and crisp hallmarks; there are reflective highlights in the last picture which do not appear in person.