Florence…the world’s leather capital
Kerri and I recently took a trip on the Mediterranean and Tuscany. What an amazing and beautiful country. Starting in Tuscany and Florence, we toured more cathedrals and castles than one can imagine. We went on to two Medieval and Renaissance villages, Sienna and San Gimignano. I encourage visiting these towns if given the chance.
Florence, the worldwide source for beautiful leather and it doesn’t disappoint. One of the cool experiences was to tour the Piazza Del Duomo is also a must see and you really can’t go to Florence with seeing Piazzale Michelangelo and the Ponto Vecchio as well as the Palazzo Vecchio, each of which you’ll recognize. The Statue of David – another highly recognizable statue – is beautifully represented in Florence and Filippo Brunelleschi’s Dome.
Ponto Vecchio, Piazzale Michelangelo and The Piazza Del Duomo, Florence
Something I knew nothing about, this is a really cool nuance of the Duomo that was designed and built 124 years following the construction of the cathedral. The reason it took so long was due to the size of the church – a mandate of the Medici family striving to create the largest cathedral in Italy for political reasons. No architect wanted to attempt to construct a dome on such a large span, for obvious reasons. Brunelleschi was tapped and came up with the idea. Doing the impossible, Brunelleschi created the largest dome ever created without flying buttresses…or scaffolding…or internal supports. Amazing!
We got an extra treat after all this sight seeing. Michelangelo 1960 is a leather shop on the Piazza Del Duomo that anyone visiting Florence should visit. Be careful, this stuff is stunning, clothing, wallets, bags, books/booklets, etc., handbags. During our visit, we actually went into the workshop and got a great demo.
Michelangelo 1960, Piazza di Santa Croce, 8, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy and our new friend Raffalele De Dominicis
Looking around the store we recognized some machinery and tools from things we use. Come to learn, Raffaele De Dominicis, one of the leather craftsmen in the establishment (40 years at this task) is also a bookbinder. For those that don’t know, bookbinding is a unique and a uniquely challenging trade. So, for us, watching someone skilled beyond anything we’ll ever need was a tremendous learning experience.
Bookbinding is a science that relies on great skill and knowledge of leather and how to work it. There is little to no room for error particularly when dealing with books that have value to their owners or, more so, that have value in the collectors’ market which Raffaele serves.
In addition to leather bound journals and passport holders and wallets, jackets and other leather garments, Michelangelo 1960 offers bespoke (a word I dislike, it’s overused, except here) handbags. Pictured below, they create 10 per year of these handbags. Each bag is put together without glue or stitching. They are created purely by working the leather so it conforms to itself and as you can see every exposed aspect of these items is beautifully crafted. Again, be careful entering this shop…it’s hard not to fall in love.
Legacy Boards Backgammon crafts backgammon and chess boards and tables using live-edge wood and we hand make leather playing surfaces and our #highendfurniture products are used in #gamerooms, #gameroomdesign, #mancave s and #billiardsroom s. Each board comprising at least 54 separate cuts of leather hand crafted together to create our one of a kind boards that can be found in #highendinteriors and by numerous #interiordesignfirms. Chess boards create a similar but additional challenge. Because our leather is inlaid and, in our original chess boards wood subs for leather (we have created leather chess boards) and precision is critical. The 64 separate squares making up a chess board must be exactly the same size. If a square is cut 1/64” large or small it can be 1/8” off on each end. Beautiful and very exacting work.
For us to see and watch a craftsperson like our new friend Raffaele do his magic and be able to pick his thoughts is a remarkable opportunity and we loved it.
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