Leather & Craft

Leather is not treated as surface, but as substance.

At Arti Della Mano, every piece is shaped around the material itself — how it feels, how it performs and how it changes over time.

Leather is naturally irregular. Variations in grain, tone, markings and texture are part of its origin, not imperfections. With use, it softens, shifts and develops patina. That change is part of its nature and part of its beauty.

Each piece is made by Andreas Salomon in a small studio in Lower Austria, near Vienna. From leather selection and cutting to finishing and final assembly, the work is done slowly, by hand, and in deliberate contrast to mass production.

---

01 — Leather

Natural Character

No two hides are exactly alike. Grain, density, tone and surface movement vary naturally, even within the same leather type. These differences give leather its individuality.

Over time, leather responds visibly to use. Creases, tonal change and patina are not flaws, but part of what gives the material more depth and character.

Vegetable-Tanned and Chrome-Tanned Leather

Different tanning methods create different qualities.

Vegetable-tanned leather is often firmer and develops patina more visibly over time. It is especially suited to pieces where ageing, structure and natural change are part of the appeal.

Chrome-tanned leather is often softer, more flexible and more resistant to moisture and daily wear. It is well suited to products that benefit from suppleness, comfort and durability.

Some leathers combine both qualities. Latigo-tanned leather, for example, brings together flexibility, resilience and a richer ageing character.

Surface, Texture and Patina

Leather can be smooth, embossed, waxed, oiled, pleated or hand-finished. These qualities shape not only the look of a piece, but also how it feels and how it ages.

A pull-up leather shifts in tone when bent. Waxed and oiled leathers develop depth with handling. Embossed leathers create a more defined surface. Softer milled or pleated leathers bring movement and texture in a different way.

Patina is not simply wear. It is the visible way leather records time and use.

---

02 — The Leathers Used at Arti Della Mano

---

03 — Craft

Every piece at Arti Della Mano is made by Andreas Manuel. Leather is sourced individually, selected by product, and worked by hand from start to finish in a small studio in Lower Austria, near Vienna.

The process is intentionally slow. Leather is cut by hand, prepared by hand and assembled with close attention to structure, proportion and finish. Only premium leathers from Italy and Germany are used.

Beyond hardware where needed, the products are built entirely from leather. No plastic, foam, textile lining or synthetic reinforcement is used. Even structural elements hidden between layers are made from leather, so that each piece remains materially consistent throughout.

Shape, firmness and balance come from construction itself — from layering, reinforcement, lining, folding and wrapping — not from synthetic inserts. Softer leathers are supported through build and structure. Firmer leathers are refined through lining and finish.

---

04 — Edges and Finishing

Edge finishing is chosen by the needs of the product.

Some pieces are finished with Italian edge paint by Giardini for a clean and defined outline. Others are polished by hand with Japanese Tokonole and, in some cases, finished with beeswax for a more natural result.

Turned or leather-wrapped edges are used where structure, stability or a seamless finish is required.

---

05 — Hardware and Assembly

Hardware is chosen for both function and appearance. Arti Della Mano works primarily with stainless steel and chromed brass, depending on the product and the role each component plays.

Stainless steel is used where strength, resistance and long-term durability are essential. It offers a stable finish over time and is often associated with a higher-grade standard in leather goods.

Chromed brass brings a brighter, sharper metal presence while still offering substance and durability. Used in the right context, it creates stronger contrast against the leather and a more defined visual accent.

Buckles, eyelets, studs, clasps, rings, carabiners and snap buttons are not treated as decoration alone. They often protect the leather, define the structure of the piece or allow it to be worn and used in different ways.

---

06 — Why Material and Construction Matter

A leather product is never defined by its outer leather alone. The way it is built changes how it feels, how it performs and how it ages.

Material and craftsmanship always work together.