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MARIO VALLE'

Italian sterling silver cup, mid-20th Century

Height x width x depth: 21.5 x 25 x 18 cm. Total weight: 1476 g. Silver weight: 1141 g

Double-handled, resting on a circular base, the body entirely repoussé and chased with olive branches and a meander pattern along the upper rim.

Sterling silver, hallmarked ‘81 MI’ – “925” – ‘V.G.’, silversmith Mario Vallè, Milan

Literature:
Mario Vallè (Milan, active 20th century)

A Milanese silversmith active during the 20th century, Mario Vallè belongs to the long-standing Lombard tradition of goldsmithing and silverwork, distinguished by a high level of craftsmanship and a particular attention to design and the sculptural quality of surfaces. Working in Milan—one of the प्रमुख centers for precious metal production—he developed a body of work that includes tableware, utilitarian objects, and decorative pieces, primarily executed in silver.

His production is characterized by a balance between historicist languages—often inspired by Neoclassical or Baroque models—and a more modern sensibility, evident in the simplification of forms and the refinement of details. His works demonstrate mastery of traditional techniques such as casting, chasing, and repoussé, combined with a sophisticated attention to proportion and to the relationship between function and ornament.

Objects bearing his maker’s mark, sometimes accompanied by the ste "925” silver standard, are part of the broader context of 20th-century Italian production, contributing to both the continuity and renewal of the Milanese silversmithing tradition. Today, his works are appreciated on the art market for their artisanal quality and formal elegance.