The Eredi Marelli company has deep roots in the tradition of fine Italian craftsmanship. Founded way back in 1934 by Angelo Marelli, it has evolved over the decades, now into its third generation with Michele Marelli at its helm, while always maintaining its unique identity. The history of Eredi Marelli is closely linked to the culture of design and the legacy of Italian skills and knowledge. The company's archive is a heritage of inestimable value, in particular thanks to the 20-year collaboration with the Milanese architect Paolo Buffa, whose work is constantly re-visited and made contemporary through re-editions that are faithful to his original designs. The Buffa archive is jealously guarded by Eredi Marelli, and has numerous reproduction rights to many of his works.
There is also a gallery within the company premises that is a shrine to historic design from all over Italy. It houses carefully selected pieces from leading 20th century architects working in collaboration with skilled craftsmen. This combination of design and craftsmanship, past and present, forms the beating heart of Eredi Marelli. Over the years the company has gone through various stages of development and innovation. In 1996, the showroom was completed, housed in the converted timber warehouse adjacent to the original workshop. The first reissues of furniture designed by Paolo Buffa, considered authentic masterpieces of Italian craftsmanship design, are exhibited in this space. Another milestone came in 2009, when a new finish was given to a piece of furniture that had already been in production since 2001. This was the so-called 'bugne' cabinet, and it has become an icon of the company, available in over 800 customisable colour variants.
In recent years, Eredi Marelli has further expanded its business to include a historical division that showcases original objects from the recent past. This division displays historical pieces alongside contemporary furniture, challenging the conventions of the traditional showroom and creating a continuous dialogue between past and present. The company has also launched annual events on architects and their craftsmen, offering unique opportunities to explore the history and evolution of Italian design. In recent times, the historical division has broadened its research to include not only furniture but also furnishing accessories such as ceramics, alabaster, cork and more, from different regions of Italy, so providing an increasingly broad and complete picture of Italian craftsmanship.