The Finishers

The secret to Italy’s great strength in boatbuilding lies in its history of superb craftsmanship. As an incubator of master furniture makers and other artisans, it is unparalleled. Here are four you should know.

THERE’S A REASON that many of the world’s most sought-after watches are made in Switzerland, that Paris is the centre of haute couture and that Japan is top-ofmind for lacquerware. The craftsmanship that rests at the heart of each of these disciplines enjoys a long history in its respective region.

The same is true in Italy, where shipyards rely on the work of nearby furniture makers, tanneries and other artisans to ensure their cabins stand out. It’s a tradition that has long differentiated Italian yachts from their global competitors. “The reason why the Chinese and the Japanese (ship)yards – and they have great yards – have never managed to break into the (yacht) market is because of the industrial ecosystem that you find mostly in the north of Italy,” says Barbara Muckermann, chief marketing officer of luxury cruise line Silversea, which is based in Monaco. “It’s absolutely incredible, the kind of workmanship there. Nobody can really replicate it yet.”

But while we’ve all heard of the Benettis and the Rivas of the world, many of the Italian artisans who make bespoke furniture and objects for these yachts are relative unknowns. Here, a look at four such producers. They may toil behind the scenes, but their work is nothing if not scene-stealing.