In 1955, Paolo Maselli opened his antique print and artisanal frame shop in Florence. Over the years, Paolo also passed on his passion to his son Gabriele, who in 1979, after specializing in gilding and frame restoration, took over the reins of the business. Even today, more than 60 years after its founding, the small and distinctive Maselli Art Workshop guarantees impeccable quality services, marked by meticulous artisanal work and careful attention to detail.
The long artisanal tradition is the core of the Maselli Art Workshop: respecting the canons of woodworking is the obligatory starting point in the creation of high-quality artistic frames. And wood is the raw material for all Maselli products. Alder and linden, Swiss stone pine and jelutong for the carved parts: all top-quality materials that, due to their characteristics, are particularly suitable for the accurate handcrafted work typical of artisanal work. The raw wood is then decorated using the most ancient and traditional processing techniques, such as ‘tempera’ gilding, silvering, or color finishing.
The Maselli Art Workshop offers the possibility to customize your frame, choosing the type of wood, the style of the carving, the processing technique and its dimensions. Furthermore, the Maselli Art Workshop carries out restoration and conservation work on frames and wooden objects of any era and type. Thus, the mastery of this excellent artisanal workshop has become a point of reference for both private individuals and institutions and museums.
Guided Tour of Maselli Art Workshop: Experience the Florentine Charm!
During the tour, which will last about an hour, you will have the opportunity to explore the Workshop closely and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of carving and gilding art.You will know about the history of the Workshop, its evolution over the years, and the continuous commitment of the Maselli family in preserving the excellence of Italian craftsmanship.
During the visit, you will be able to observe the work of the artisans at the restoration table, discovering the techniques and materials used in different historical periods and receive detailed explanations on the ongoing restoration projects. This direct and engaging approach will allow you to understand not only the importance of ancient techniques, but also the commitment necessary to preserve and enhance the works that are part of the Florentine cultural heritage.
Included in the visit:
- Detailed explanation of the history of the Maselli workshop and the handed-down artisanal traditions
- Observation of the carving and gilding techniques with pure gold
- Illustration of the ongoing restorations and the materials used
- Interaction with expert artisans who can answer the visitors’ questions
Workshops (of different types and variable duration)
‘Coloriamo Pinocchio’ Workshop
(Aimed at and particularly suitable for children)
Each child will be able to choose from three small Pinocchios, the one they prefer, a candle holder, a pen holder or Pinocchio’s head.Using tempera or acrylic paints, they will paint their object in the way they prefer, making their Pinocchio unique and colourful.Once the work is finished, the children will take the object with them, which will be a memento of this fun experience
Wood Inlay Workshop
(For adults and children or young people)
Each participant will create this type of decoration, the wood inlay, on a frame or a small panel, by arranging and gluing tiny pieces of wood of different colors and types, in order to create a precise and very refined design. Once the work is finished, the participants will take the object with them, which will be the memory of this wonderful experience
Gold Leaf Workshop
(For adults, children and young people)
In this workshop, each participant will have the opportunity to use gold leaf. On a small panel, each person will apply a tempera color, on which the chosen design will then be applied. Then a special glue for gilding will be applied, and the gold leaf will subsequently be applied.Once the work is finished, the participants will take the object with them, which will be the memory of this wonderful and exciting experience.
