An exclusive itinerary for a guided tour in search of ancient crafts and finely handcrafted objects created by master artisans of Florence.
Even today, traditional techniques and tools are meticulously preserved in workshops and passed down through generations. This special guided tour offers the opportunity to discover the treasures of Florentine artisanal craftsmanship: commesso di pietre dure (hardstone mosaics), wood carving and decoration, terracotta and ceramics, marbled paper, etchings, precious metalwork, perfumes, and fragrances crafted from the flowers of Tuscan hills.
Leather and Craftsmanship: The Finest Leather Goods in Florence
Exploring Florence inevitably means encountering leather goods shops around every corner, not to mention the markets, such as those at the Porcellino and San Lorenzo, where countless stalls offer a wide array of similar products.
However, there are true institutions in the field of leatherwork, such as the Scuola del Cuoio in Santa Croce.
However, there are true institutions in the field of leatherwork, such as the Scuola del Cuoio in Santa Croce. Founded after World War II, this school emerged from a collaboration between two Florentine families, the Gori and Casini, and the Franciscan friars of Santa Croce. It aimed to teach orphaned children a trade.
Discovering Another Artisanal Technique: Wood Carving
Some workshops are labyrinths filled with objects of varying shapes piled everywhere, creating an apparent chaos. Yet, for artisans who have worked there for years, every item has its place. These woodcarving workshops produce frames, friezes, capitals, cornices, and rosettes, all carved wood elements used for furniture, walls, fireplaces, and decorative niches to personalize spaces with elegance and sophistication.
Many artisans began their careers restoring antique furniture and transitioned to creating pieces in historical styles. Visiting these workshops feels like stepping back in time, where the fast pace of modern work vanishes. The scent of wood, paints, and varnishes instantly envelops you. Foreign visitors often remark that such craftsmanship no longer exists in their countries, replaced by mass-produced goods in large factories, highlighting the uniqueness of Florentine artisanship.
Florentine marbled paper
Some workshops are labyrinths filled with objects of varying shapes piled everywhere, creating an apparent chaos. Yet, for artisans who have worked there for years, every item has its place. These woodcarving workshops produce frames, friezes, capitals, cornices, and rosettes, all carved wood elements used for furniture, walls, fireplaces, and decorative niches to personalize spaces with elegance and sophistication.
Many artisans began their careers restoring antique furniture and transitioned to creating pieces in historical styles. Visiting these workshops feels like stepping back in time, where the fast pace of modern work vanishes. The scent of wood, paints, and varnishes instantly envelops you. Foreign visitors often remark that such craftsmanship no longer exists in their countries, replaced by mass-produced goods in large factories, highlighting the uniqueness of Florentine artisanship.
Marbled paper, known for its colorful patterns resembling natural marble veins, is also produced and sold in specialized shops. This effect is achieved using oil or water-based colors placed on a glue bath, typically made from algae, and manipulated by artisans with wooden styluses. The technique, introduced to Europe in the 17th century from the East, was initially used to reinforce and decorate book covers. Florence has a long-standing tradition in bookbinding, and marbled paper later found broader uses, such as lining boxes, creating fans, bookmarks, and frames.
One striking design is the peacock feather motif, created with special combs that produce intricate patterns in the floating colors on the glue bath.
A renowned Florentine workshop founded in 1856 by Pietro Giannini continues to thrive. Pietro, a stationer and bookbinder for Grand Duke Leopold II of Lorraine, established a legacy that has reached its sixth generation. Today, the Giannini workshop is internationally recognized, offering a rich variety of high-quality paper products.
In recent years, the marbling technique has been applied to leather for bags, wallets, and accessories. A specialized workshop carefully selects the finest calfskins, prepares them to ensure the colors adhere well, and follows the same process used for paper. The leather is then “printed” and treated to make the colors vibrant and durable.
Niche Perfumes and Historic Fragrances of Florence
Florence also offers a wealth of unique, locally produced perfumes. Consider the story of Catherine de’ Medici, the first of two queens from the Medici family to sit on the French throne. Married at 14 to Henry II, son of the King of France, Catherine introduced Florentine perfume culture to France, setting the stage for the dominance of French perfumes worldwide.
At the time, washing was uncommon, and perfumes were used to mask body odors. Catherine brought her trusted perfumer, Renato Bianco (known in France as René le Florentin), to the French court. The Santa Maria Novella pharmacy created a custom fragrance for Catherine, known as Acqua della Regina (Queen’s Water), which is still produced in Florence today and can be sampled during the guided tour!
This exclusive itinerary showcases the enduring tradition and unparalleled artistry of Florence’s master craftsmen, inviting visitors to experience the timeless elegance of its artisanal heritage.