A unique leather chair for an extraordinary interior – Mascheroni

The design concept of the VITOR R chair challenges traditional perspectives on home and office space design, occupying a central position. The chair is distinctly crafted to stand out in any environment thanks to highlighted details on the back and sides, elements that are typically not associated with added value. The chair’s backrest is made from molded birch wood. Additionally, the rear and sides of the VITOR R are upholstered with a special leather that requires meticulous attention to detail, creating a new chair concept characterized by a bold and intricate design that showcases the craftsmanship mastery of Mascheroni. This innovative leather treatment, reminiscent of elegant pinstripe suits achieved by sewing multiple strips of leather together, creates a pleasing contrast with the interior parts, which are perfectly proportioned. The lightweight frame makes it a particularly comfortable piece even in a domestic setting. Available in all natural bovine leathers from the “Mascheroni Leather Color System” collection. Each handcrafted Mascheroni product bears a branded tag engraved with “Mascheroni srl Made in Italy,” confirming its authenticity.

The Mascheroni workshop was founded approximately 40 years ago in Cabiate, a town near Milan, in the heart of the Brianza manufacturing district, where its headquarters are located. The company has continually evolved; it began designing and producing custom pieces and complete sets of prestigious furniture for discerning 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 companies 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 handcrafted using state-of-the-art machinery. However, everything is then assembled entirely by hand, and it is no coincidence that one of the brand’s main goals is to ensure continuity by maintaining high levels of employee training and further development. Accordingly, each senior artisan is mentored by a junior craftsman, helping them complete their specialization and become a master as well.

The pursuit of excellence and continuous innovation are fundamental to Mascheroni products, making the brand recognized worldwide.

Exceptional expertise 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 conducted throughout the entire production cycle, and materials are thoroughly examined to guarantee quality compliance at each stage. The finished product undergoes rigorous testing to ensure proper functionality and is thoroughly analyzed to confirm it meets the aesthetic expectations set out in the original design.

What types of leather does Mascheroni use?

The leathers typically used in our sector are about 1.1 to 1.2 mm thick, as they are more affordable and easier to process. These more common leathers are not part of Mascheroni’s sample range. The thinnest leathers the brand works with are approximately 1.4 mm, which is the baseline. 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 challenging to process, but providing greater durability for the final product. What makes their leather so difficult to work with, beyond being two or even three times thicker than standard leathers, are the physical properties of the leather itself: for example, “vegetable-tanned leather” is particularly hard to bend.

NATURAL LEATHERS by Mascheroni

These leathers are tanned to preserve all the natural features and the perfection of the leather itself, including animal life marks such as small insect bites, wrinkles, and various grain patterns. All these signs indicate that the product is truly natural and should therefore be regarded as a mark of quality. Mascheroni's goal is to ensure the best possible leather cutting so that these “marks” do not appear on visible parts of the products. Cowhides, mainly European, with a thickness of 1.4 to 1.5 mm, are chrome-tanned, aniline-dyed in a drum, with a natural, full grain. They have a soft, warm, and incredibly beautiful appearance. Cowhides, mainly European, with a thickness of 1.6 to 1.8 mm, are chrome-tanned, aniline-dyed in a drum, with a full natural grain. They feature a nearly smooth, semi-transparent surface with an aniline effect, and are “hard” and sturdy.

PELLE 3M / A

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

PELLE 3M

Cowhides, mainly European, 3–4 mm thick, chrome-tanned, aniline-dyed in a drum, with a natural, full grain. Nearly 4mm thick ensures long-lasting durability. The surface features remarkable natural animal life marks. Full-grain. Strong and warm.

VEGETABLE-TANNED LEATHER

Cowhides, mainly European, 2.2 mm thick, vegetable-tanned, full grain. Semi-transparent, smooth surface, strong and warm. An excellent material, incredibly beautiful. Available only as half hides. Vegetable tanning uses an old recipe that combines traditional processes with all current technologies. This process is carried out by tanners who, from generation to generation, pass on their careful and passionate craftsmanship, transforming raw hides 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. Truly, 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. These changes and personal use over time attest to the product’s naturalness.

Over the years, the tannin dyes give the leather warm hues that tend to stand out on the surface of each element 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 exclusive, one-of-a-kind item.

Using tannins results in products of extremely high quality: 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 durability, are fully sustainable, and even resistant to water and temperature—parameters often considered important limitations for natural products.

The result is an item that excels in every aspect, combining excellent technical properties with the craftsmanship of materials from bygone eras, featuring warm colors and a unique design. A product that will last and improve over time, and which can be safely disposed of at the end of its lifecycle.

Wood

The Mascheroni wood collection consists of 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 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.

Proof that Mascheroni products stand out for their quality and materials used is also reflected in the weight of the finished product. On average, the finished product weighs 50% more than a standard product. Knowledge of wood prompted the company to thoroughly explore various possibilities offered to create new and increasingly exclusive collections. The finished product is the result of artisans' wisdom and innovation.

This signifies a desire and meticulousness to meet the demands of Mascheroni's very discerning clients—people who want special, custom-made products with a very high level of craftsmanship. It is undoubtedly a very challenging field, but one that allows the company to express its potential and ultimately 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 financed 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 National Trust), which protects, restores, and opens historic sites and buildings across Italy to the public.

Manufacturer information