Master artisan Simone Taddei is a fourth generation Florentine leather artist who makes the rigid leather boxes which are a signature art form of the city.  (He's also my very good friend, as his workshop is just around the corner from where I live.)

Using tools and techniques passed down from his father and grandfather Maestro Taddei performs every step of the labor intensive process himself without helpers or assistants.  His work is sold in fine shops all over the world, and his pieces are in great demand, with a waiting list of several months for custom work.

The stiff rawhide is covered with calfskin before being colored, waxed, and polished. The boxes in the background await their final polishing.