From Guild to Hand: The Hidden Lineage of Florentine Craft
How Florence’s medieval guilds shaped the artisanship you still see (and wear) today.
Before fashion weeks and luxury labels, there were the guilds. Florence’s creative class has been shaping cloth, leather, and silver for over 800 years — and they’re still at it.
Couple window-shopping near Santa Croce — scouting authentic artisan gifts in Florence.
Florence Was Built by Guilds, Not Kings
Long before Made in Italy was a brand, Florence ran on a different seal of quality: the Arti, or guilds. These powerful associations of artisans, merchants, and specialists governed everything from how cloth was dyed to how contracts were signed. By the 13th century, the guilds didn’t just regulate trades — they ruled the city.
There were seven Arti Maggiori (Major Arts), including the Arte della Lana (wool), Calimala (cloth finishers and merchants), and the Guild of Judges and Notaries (essential in a city that loved a good contract). Then came the Arti Minori — leatherworkers, bakers, masons, even innkeepers — no less respected in daily life.
Each guild had a patron saint, a crest, a governing statute, and often a physical seat of power in the city.
Arte della Lana, Calimala, Cuoiai: Sound Familiar?
Some guilds have faded into footnotes. Others are hiding in plain sight.
The Arte della Lana regulated Florence’s wool industry. Their headquarters still stand near Orsanmichele — austere and fortress-like. Their legacy continues in our own era, quietly:
Our wool scarves are woven in a historic mill in Prato using premium Italian yarns. They’re not on our website because we only have a handful. Come try one in person, or message us and we’ll send you photos. What to buy in florence? →
The Arte di Calimala dealt in imported cloth, which they refined and sold across Europe. Merchants of taste and technique, they were early globalists. Their name lives on in Via Calimala — and in pieces like our silk cocoon necklaces. Made with real silk cocoons, these sculptural accessories echo Florence’s silken past. They trace their lineage to the Setificio Fiorentino, the centuries-old silk workshop still operating today. See our silk collection →
The Cuoiai e Galigai — leatherworkers and tanners — gave Florence its most persistent identity. But beware:
Just because something says "Made in Florence" doesn’t mean it really is. Our leather bags are crafted by real artisans. We don’t sell them online because each piece is unique. Come see, touch, and choose your own. Read more on spotting the real thing →
Walk the Guild Map
The physical traces of the Arti are still scattered through the city — if you know where to look:
Orsanmichele was once a granary, then a church, and also a kind of sculptural guild billboard. Each niche on its façade holds the patron saint of a guild, carved by masters like Donatello and Ghiberti.
Palazzo dell’Arte della Lana stands just next door. Walk by and spot the coat of arms: a sheep, crowned.
Via Calimala, Via Pellicceria, Via della Vigna Nuova — all named for trades.
On random street corners, look for stone crests: a pen for the Notaries, scales for the Merchants.
Florence isn’t a museum of craft. It’s a city that still lives by it.
Today’s Makers, Same Soul
The new artisans don’t imitate the past. They inherit it.
They still work in small studios. They still choose materials like wool, silk, leather, bronze. They still learn by doing, refine by hand, and make just enough.
At Florence Factory, we see ourselves not as a store, but as a kind of contemporary guild: a place where skill, ethics, and aesthetics still matter. A community of makers who share time and values, not trends.
This isn’t nostalgia. It’s how Florence has always worked.
Shop the Story
Wool Scarves (Very Limited) — Woven in a historic mill in Prato using exceptional Italian wool. Each piece is one of a kind. They're not listed online because we have just a few. Come see them in person, or message us and we’ll send you photos.
Silk Cocoon Necklaces — Light, sculptural pieces made with real silk cocoons from the Florentine silk tradition. A quiet nod to the legacy of the Setificio Fiorentino. See our silk collection →
Leather Bags (Made in Florence) — Come by and try them. We work with real artisans, not factories — that’s why they’re not online. Don’t be fooled by the label: not all “Made in Florence” is made equally. Read more about choosing authentic leather →
Want more? Explore our posts:
Leather That Walks Through Time →
Contemporary Jewelry in Florence →
New York Times: Florence Factory in the Best Shops in Florence →
Visit Florence Factory near Santa Croce
Florence Factory, Via dei Neri 6/8R. Open most days; hours may vary seasonally. For same-day pickup, please message or call us first: availability depends on the item and batch.
Worldwide shipping via FedEx — tracked & insured.
In-store pickup by arrangement — message or call us; availability varies by item.
Custom & on-request options — colors, sizing, gemstones (on select pieces).
Small-batch, artisan-made — durability, repair-friendly, fair pricing.
