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©Niccolò Brunelli
©Niccolò Brunelli
©Niccolò Brunelli
©Niccolò Brunelli
©Toscolano Paper

Filippo Cantoni

Filippo Cantoni Papermaking
©Toscolano Paper

Resurrecting papermaking techniques from 1381

  • • Filippo founded Toscolano 1381 to relaunch a traditional craft
  • • He handcrafts high-end papers and a variety of paper creations
  • • He uses only 100% natural raw materials and vintage machinery for printing

It was in 2014 that Filippo Cantoni decided to breath new life into the ancient tradition of papermaking, which had gone almost completely extinct on the shores of Lake Garda. The area around Lake Garda benefits from a favourable microclimate, warm and dry, which – along with the quality of its waters – makes it an ideal region for papermaking. Historical archives show that the first documents evidencing this craft in what came to be called the Paper Mill Valley date back to 1381. Papermaking was so prolific that between the 15th and the 16th century the small valley crossed by the Toscolano river became the leading paper production centre of the Venetian Republic. Over time, the skills got lost, and Filippo founded his workshop, Toscolano 1381, to personally handcraft high-end papers and revive the heritage of his region.

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Works

  • ©Niccolò Brunelli
  • ©Niccolò Brunelli
  • ©Niccolò Brunelli
  • ©Niccolò Brunelli
  • ©Niccolò Brunelli
Photo: ©Niccolò Brunelli
Olive Toscolano handmade paper

This is a sheet of olive green Toscolano paper with a weight of 150 gsm. It is entirely handmade from cotton fibre.

Photo: ©Niccolò Brunelli
Ivory Toscolano handmade paper

This is a sheet of ivory Toscolano paper in a weight of 150 gsm. It is entirely handmade from cotton fibre.

Photo: ©Niccolò Brunelli
Antique pink Toscolano handmade paper

This is a sheet of antique pink Toscolano paper in a weight of 150 gsm. It is entirely handmade from cotton fibre.

Photo: ©Niccolò Brunelli
Dove grey Toscolano handmade paper

This is a sheet of Toscolano paper in a weight of 150 gsm. It is entirely handmade from cotton fibre. The delicate dove grey dye is obtained naturally from walnut hull.

Photo: ©Niccolò Brunelli
Deep brown Toscolano handmade paper

This is a sheet of Toscolano paper in a weight of 150 gsm. It is entirely handmade from cotton fibre. The deep brown dye is obtained naturally from walnut hull.

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