A unique, beautiful bookcase – Mascheroni

Low ebony wood cabinet. Glossy polyester polish. Wooden base covered with shiny steel. The two side units can be opened to provide practical countertop space. Each handcrafted Italian product by Mascheroni is marked with a plaque engraved with the brand name “Mascheroni srl Made in Italy,” confirming its authenticity.

The Italian brand MASCHERONI was founded about 40 years ago in Cabiate, a town near Milan, in the heart of the Brianza manufacturing district, where its headquarters are located. The company did not rest on its laurels; it began designing and manufacturing special products and complete sets of prestigious furniture for its demanding clients—those seeking top-tier products, initially in Europe and later worldwide. Mascheroni now operates in over eighty countries.

Today, MASCHERONI is one of the few companies that oversee and control 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 craftsmanship of individual artisans. Most elements of each product are handcrafted and produced using state-of-the-art machinery. However, all assembly is done 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 artisan to complete their specialization path and also become a master.

Seeking excellence 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, manufacturing methods, and problem-solving solutions inherent to the products, combined with ongoing investments in research and development, ensure that the products are durable and 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 every stage. The final product is carefully tested to confirm proper functioning and thoroughly analyzed to ensure it meets the aesthetic expectations set in the original design.

What types of leather does Mascheroni use

The leathers typically used in our sector are about 1.1 - 1.2 mm thick, as 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 around 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 thus more challenging to work with, but providing greater durability for the final product. What makes their leather so difficult to process, besides being two 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 LEATHER of Mascheroni

These leathers are tanned to preserve all their natural features and the inherent qualities of the leather itself, including traces of animal life such as small insect bites, wrinkles, and varied grain. All these signs indicate that the product is genuinely natural and should be regarded as quality marks. 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. Cattle leather, 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 cattle leather, with a thickness of 1.6 to 1.8 mm, chrome-tanned, aniline-dyed in a drum, with 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, 2.2 mm thick, chrome-tanned, aniline-dyed in a 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, 3–4 mm thick, chrome-tanned, aniline-dyed in a drum, natural grain, full. Nearly 4mm thickness ensures long-lasting durability. The surface features extraordinary natural traces of the animal’s life. Full-grain. Strong and warm.

Vegetable-tanned leather

Full-grain European calfskins, 2.2 mm thick, vegetable-tanned, full. Semi-transparent smooth surface, strong and warm. An excellent, incredibly beautiful material. Available only as half hides. 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 slow 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—a unique, one-of-a-kind process—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 tannin dyes give the leather warm hues that tend to become more pronounced on the surface of each item during use. As a result, 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 an elite and truly unique item.

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

The result is a product that excels in every aspect, combining excellent technical properties with a heritage-inspired aesthetic, warm colors, and a unique design. It is a product that will last and improve over time, and can be safely disposed of at the end of its lifecycle.

Wood

The Mascheroni wood collection features over 10 different 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 contrast, in furniture production, solid wood is used only partially. This varies depending on the product, shape, and the desired aesthetic effect, which may require the use of solid wood, plywood, shaped plywood, wooden slats, roots, and other enhanced materials.

Evidence of Mascheroni’s product quality and material selection is also reflected in the weight of the final product. On average, the finished product weighs 50% more than a standard one. Knowledge of wood has led the company to explore diverse possibilities for creating 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 demands of very discerning Mascheroni clients—people seeking custom-made, high-craftsmanship products. It is undoubtedly a 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