Martinato Materials: Genuine Horn, Leather, Fine Woods and Galalith

The quality of an accessory begins long before its final shape. It begins with the material.

For more than four decades, Martinato has developed handcrafted accessories using materials selected for their character, tactile qualities, and ability to become part of everyday life over time.

Genuine horn, leather, fine woods, and galalith are at the heart of the Martinato collections. Different in origin, appearance, and craftsmanship, they share one principle: the material is never merely decorative.

It is part of the product's identity.

Why Do Materials Matter in Handcrafted Accessories?

Industrial production often aims to make every piece look exactly the same.

Craftsmanship allows something different.

The grain of wood, the natural shades of horn, or the texture of leather can make two examples of the same design subtly different.

That variation gives each object character.

Martinato's approach begins with the selection of materials and continues through craftsmanship, finishing, and careful attention to the characteristics of each material.

Explore the complete Martinato Collection.

Leather: Where the Martinato Story Began

Leather holds a special place in Martinato's history.

Over the years, the company has developed extensive experience working with leather for bags, wallets, travel cases, and small accessories.

Materials used throughout the collections include buffalo, bison, nappa, and deer leather, among other selected varieties.

The quality of a leather accessory, however, is determined by more than the hide itself.

Stitching, cutting, edges, linings, and finishing all influence how the final object feels and how well it responds to everyday use.

Why Does Genuine Leather Change Over Time?

Leather is a living material.

Through use, it can become softer, subtly change in tone, and develop a personal patina.

A well-made leather accessory is therefore not necessarily intended to remain exactly as it looked on its first day. Part of its beauty lies in its ability to develop character over time.

For practical care advice, read our guide on how to care for a leather bag.

Genuine Horn: No Two Pieces Are the Same

Genuine horn is one of the materials most closely associated with Martinato.

Used for centuries to create fine personal accessories, horn was brought into Martinato's collections through collaboration with skilled Italian craftsmen and the rediscovery of traditional techniques.

Its most distinctive quality is its natural variation.

Colors can range from pale translucent shades to honey, brown, and almost black. Grain patterns and transparency naturally vary from one section to another.

As a result, no two genuine horn accessories are perfectly identical.

That is not a flaw. It is one of the defining characteristics of a natural material.

Why Is Horn Used for Combs and Grooming Accessories?

Horn has a long tradition in comb making.

It is primarily composed of keratin, the same family of proteins found in hair and nails, and can be polished to an exceptionally smooth finish. It also has a lower tendency to generate static electricity than many synthetic materials.

This makes it particularly interesting for combs and grooming accessories.

Learn more in our guide to the benefits and craftsmanship of genuine horn combs.

Fine Woods: Nature Designs Every Piece

Wood offers another form of natural individuality: its grain.

Martinato works with selected woods including:

• American walnut;

• black ebony;

• Macassar ebony;

• wenge;

• zebrawood;

• Italian olive wood;

• briar root;

• fossil wood.

Selected collections also feature unusual materials such as Japanese bamboo and Malacca.

These woods are used to create hair and beard brushes, clothing and shoe brushes, shaving brushes, razors, and other personal care accessories.

How Are Martinato Wood Accessories Finished?

The craftsmanship does not end when the wood is cut.

Individual pieces are cut, sanded, polished, and finished by hand. They are then treated with selected oils and natural waxes, with final polishing carried out using natural cloths.

This process allows the natural grain and identity of each wood to remain visible.

An olive wood brush therefore has a completely different personality from one made of ebony or fossil wood, even when the function is similar.

Galalith: Rediscovering the “Milk Stone”

One of the most unusual materials in the Martinato collection is galalith.

Galalith is made from casein, the main protein found in milk. Historically used for buttons, jewelry, combs, and decorative objects, it is sometimes described as an early form of natural-origin plastic.

After extensive experimentation, Martinato introduced galalith combs in 2022.

The material has a smooth, almost velvety feel and can be finished in elegant shades reminiscent of historically used materials such as ivory and tortoiseshell, without requiring those materials.

Martinato states that its galalith products comply with REACH regulations.

Horn, Wood, Galalith or Leather: Which Should You Choose?

There is no single best material.

The right choice depends on the product, its use, and the tactile and visual experience you prefer.

Genuine horn is ideal for those who appreciate natural patterns and one-of-a-kind variations.

Wood offers warmth, distinctive grain, and different personalities depending on the species.

Galalith provides a particularly smooth surface and an elegant appearance.

Leather is perfect for objects designed to accompany their owner every day and develop character through use.

That is why several Martinato accessories are available in different materials.

The final choice becomes personal.

Natural Materials Mean Natural Differences

When buying an accessory made from natural materials, the product photograph should be understood as representative.

Colors, grain, and shades may vary.

This is especially true of genuine horn and wood.

These differences are not defects. They are evidence of the material's natural origin and one of the reasons each accessory can have its own identity.

Material and Craftsmanship Must Work Together

A fine material alone is not enough.

What turns raw material into an accessory made to last is the quality of the work surrounding it.

Martinato combines its own manufacturing experience with selected collaborations with Italian artisans, maintaining close attention to production and finishing.

Horn, leather, wood, and galalith each require different techniques.

Respecting those differences is what allows each material to express its true character.

The Beauty of an Object That Cannot Be Perfectly Replicated

In a world where almost everything can be reproduced identically thousands of times, natural materials offer something different.

A shade that belongs only to one piece.

A grain pattern that will never repeat in exactly the same way.

Leather that will evolve according to how it is used.

This is Martinato's idea of everyday luxury: functional, elegant objects made from materials that gain character through use.

Since 1980, the material has been the starting point.

The rest is craftsmanship, experience, and time.

Explore the Martinato Collection and discover accessories crafted from genuine horn, leather, fine woods, and other distinctive materials.