Aldo Marsili established the chess factory Italfama in 1976. Like many successful businesses, Italfama was started as a hobby. Aldo enjoyed playing chess as a young man and he also enjoyed working with his hands. He realised the business potential of his hobby when his first handmade chess set was quickly purchased by one of his friends and his second immediately suffered the same fate.

Aldo has worked very hard with his brother Paolo for 33 years, and during that time the chess collection has grown, including various lines: classical and artistic chess pieces of different designs and materials, faithful reproductions of historical and mythological battles, memorable characters. The pieces are played on inlaid wooden chess boards made of the most beautiful woods – rosewood, maple, mahogany, walnut.

Artist and engraver Aldo Marsili oversees the entire production process for the chess pieces, which uses classical method of wax casting, in the style of Benvenuto Cellini and all the other famous sculptors of the 15th and 16th century. Each piece is fashioned by hand, with gold finish or paint, sculptured or handcarved.

In the third millennium, Italfama is considered one of the most prestigious and appreciated manufacturers of chess pieces and chess boards in the world. In the last two years two of Aldo’s sons, Marco and Tommaso, have joined the factory, and, thanks to their care and innovative ideas new lines have been added with worldwide appreciation and success.

http://www.italfama.it/