Craftsmanship

Our company was founded in 1920. Since then, much has changed in the way we run it—but some small details have remained the same, reminding us of our history, our family, and everyone who has worked here.

One object we hold especially dear is a stamping hammer that has been in use for over 80 years. It’s like a baton passed from my grandparents to my parents—and, always in a hurry, they passed it on to me.

You might ask: what is it, and what is it used for? Simply put, it’s a hammer with a wooden handle and an iron head embedded with small nails forming the letter “R” for Restelli. We use it to mark hides before they are sent to the tannery for dyeing. That small stamp leaves an indelible mark identifying the leather as ours, helping to prevent any mix-ups during processing.

I’ve seen it resting on piles of crust (undyed) hides since I was a child. Every now and then, I’d ask to try it—but of course, they would send me upstairs to Grandma’s office, saying, “People are working down here!” Yesterday, I smiled hearing the same words said to my son, as he spotted the hammer resting on stamped hides, ready for the tannery.

The sharp, rhythmic sound of the stamp is unmistakable. It has always been part of my life, and it reminds me of my grandmother—and of all the work we continue to do today. It may seem like an ordinary process, but every time we pick up that stamping hammer, we feel a wave of emotion. We remember those who came before us and the responsibility they entrusted to us: to design, create, and handcraft luxury gloves using only the finest materials, with love, attention, and passion in every detail.