A modern bookcase for an exclusive interior – Mascheroni

Authentic woodworking sculptures, the Grand Master shelf designed with a high level of emotional expression. The cabinet features a construction finished with Canaletto walnut wood in marquetry. Each handcrafted Italian Mascheroni product is marked with a plaque engraved with the brand name “Mascheroni srl Made in Italy,” confirming its authenticity.

Founded approximately 40 years ago in Cabiate, a town near Milan, in the heart of the Brianza manufacturing district where its headquarters are located, MASCHERONI has not rested on its laurels; it began designing and producing special items and complete sets of prestigious furniture for demanding clients seeking top-tier products, initially in Europe and later worldwide. Mascheroni now operates in over eighty countries.

Today, MASCHERONI is one of the few brands that manages and controls the entire production cycle, ensuring excellent quality at every stage—from raw material selection, through manufacturing, to custom services. Everything is based on teamwork, as well as the skills and quality of individual artisans. Most elements of each product are handmade and produced using the latest machinery. However, everything is then assembled entirely by hand, and it is no coincidence that one of the company's main goals is to ensure continuity by maintaining high levels of employee training and further development. Therefore, each senior master craftsman is paired with a junior craftsman to complete their specialization and also become a master.

Seeking perfection and continuous innovation are the fundamental principles characterizing Mascheroni products, which is why the company is recognized worldwide.

Extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of the materials used, production methods, and problem-solving solutions inherent to the products, combined with ongoing investments in research and development, ensure that the products are durable and will retain their value over time. Quality controls are meticulously carried out throughout the entire production cycle, and materials are thoroughly examined to ensure quality compliance at each stage. The final product is carefully tested to ensure proper functioning and thoroughly analyzed to confirm it meets the aesthetic expectations set in the original design.

What quality leather does Mascheroni use?

The leathers typically used in our sector are about 1.1 - 1.2 mm thick because they are cheaper and easier to process. These more common leathers are not part of Mascheroni’s sample range. The thinnest leathers the brand works with are about 1.4 mm, which is the starting point. Therefore, all prices listed are for products made from leather of this thickness. The company also offers various categories of leather, all significantly thicker and more difficult to process, but providing greater durability for the final product. What makes their leather so challenging to work with, besides being twice or even three times thicker than standard leathers, are the physical characteristics of the leather: for example, vegetable-tanned leather is particularly difficult to bend.

NATURAL LEATHERS by Mascheroni

These leathers are tanned to preserve all their natural features and the inherent qualities of the leather itself, including signs of animal life such as small insect bites, wrinkles, and various grain patterns. All these marks attest to the product’s natural origin and should be regarded as quality features. Mascheroni’s task is to ensure the best possible cutting of the leather so that these “marks” do not appear on visible parts of the products. Cowhide, mainly European, with a thickness of 1.4 to 1.5 mm, is chrome-tanned, aniline-dyed in a drum, with a natural, full grain. It has a soft, warm, and exceptionally beautiful appearance. European cowhide, with a thickness of 1.6 to 1.8 mm, is chrome-tanned, aniline-dyed in a drum, with a full grain. It features a semi-transparent, nearly smooth surface with an aniline effect, and is “hard” and sturdy.

PELLE 3M / A

Full-grain European calfskins, mainly 2.2 mm thick, chrome-tanned, aniline-dyed in drum, natural grain, full. Feels like silk. A magnificent and delicate material with unparalleled beauty. Small imperfections guarantee that the leathers are natural.

PELLE 3M

Full-grain European calfskins, mainly 3–4 mm thick, chrome-tanned, aniline-dyed in drum, natural grain, full. Nearly 4mm thick ensures long-lasting durability. The surface features remarkable natural traces of the animal's life. Full-grain. Strong and warm.

Vegetable-tanned leather

Full-grain European calfskins, mainly 2.2 mm thick, vegetable-tanned, full. Semi-transparent smooth surface, strong and warm. An excellent and incredibly beautiful material. Available only as half-skins. Vegetable tanning uses an old recipe that combines traditional processes with all currently available technologies. This process is carried out by tanners who pass down their craft from generation to generation with care and passion, transforming raw skins into leather without harming the environment in any way. It relies on natural tannins extracted from trees, utilizing modern technology and a lengthy processing time. Indeed, the transformation of raw hide into leather—unique and one-of-a-kind in the world—takes nearly 40 days. Vegetable-tanned leathers bear the marks of our lives. They age but do not rot. Changes and personal use over time attest to the product’s naturalness.

Over time, the tannins' colors give the leather warm hues that tend to become more prominent on the surface of each item during use. Therefore, products become unique, personal, and one-of-a-kind for each user. The product tends to evolve depending on how it is used, revealing its best side. Choosing a product made from this leather means owning a luxurious, one-of-a-kind item.

The use of tannins results in extremely high-quality products: soft and smooth leathers, marked by full and glossy dyes, finished in all possible ways, suitable for any application. These products also boast impressive mechanical wear resistance, are fully sustainable, and maintain good resistance to water and temperature—parameters often considered limitations for natural products.

The result is an item that excels in every aspect, combining excellent technical properties with the craftsmanship of materials rooted in timeless aesthetics. It features warm colors and a unique design, designed to last and improve over time. At the end of its lifecycle, it can be safely disposed of.

Wood

The Mascheroni wood collection comprises over 10 different wood species from the “Mascheroni Wood Color System” catalog. The company strives to select only the best parts of the wood. The main structures of sofas and armchairs are mostly made from solid wood. In furniture production, solid wood is used only partially. This varies depending on the product, shape, and desired aesthetic effect, which may require the use of solid wood, plywood, profiled plywood, wooden slats, roots, and other enhanced materials.

Evidence of Mascheroni’s product quality and material excellence is also reflected in the weight of the finished item. On average, the final product weighs 50% more than a standard one. The knowledge of wood has prompted the company to explore diverse possibilities to create new and increasingly exclusive collections. The final product is the result of the artisans’ wisdom and innovation.

This reflects a desire and meticulous effort to meet the demanding requirements of Mascheroni’s clientele—people seeking custom-made, high-quality craftsmanship products. It is undoubtedly a very challenging field, but one that allows the company to showcase its potential and brings great satisfaction.

Italian art and cultural heritage have always been at the heart of the brand's pride and identity. Throughout its history, Mascheroni has funded the restoration of some of Canova's artworks, organized art awards, supported historic sites such as Libreria Bocca (the oldest bookstore in Italy), and continuously funds important associations like FAI (Italian Trust Fund), which protects, restores, and opens historic sites and buildings across Italy to the public. Manufacturer information