"Handmade" is a word that gets used for almost everything. For us it describes three specific steps, each with a different tool: a hand-polished stone, a laser-carved relief, and a brush guided by a steady hand. Because the work starts from the design itself and not from a catalogue or a mould, it can be applied to any design and any graphic. This is how our hand-painted marble cigar accessories and luxury humidors are made, and what that makes possible for your own project.
An example of the technique: a hand-painted relief on Calacatta Oro marble.
What does "handmade" really mean for a cigar accessory?
It means the decisions that give a piece its character are made by a person, not by a machine. We are open about where we use precision tools. The relief is carved by a laser because it holds a fine line that a hand cannot repeat. Everything else, from the stone finish to the colour, is done by hand. The result is an object you can feel with your fingertips and see change with the light, and not a picture printed on a surface.
Step 1: the stone is worked and polished by hand
Every piece begins as solid natural marble. Our roots are in stone, and the surface is worked finely and polished by hand until it has the depth and shine that only real marble has. Because each block has its own veining, the starting point is already unique before any decoration is added. You can read more about the stones we use in our guide to rare marbles and exotic woods and in the story of Calacatta Oro, the white, gold-veined marble that suits this kind of work.
Step 2: a laser carves a low relief into the stone
On the polished surface, a laser carves the design into the stone, removing a thin layer of material to form a bas-relief. It is not a printed or coated image: the laser digs a shallow, precise recess, a micro-relief with edges you can feel, so the design has real depth and texture. That relief also gives the paint something to follow, which is why the details stay crisp.
Step 3: the engraving is painted, entirely by hand
This is the step that cannot be automated. With a fine brush, our artisans fill the engraved lines with colour, one area at a time, following the relief by eye and by hand. We use the same paints that are used for fine-art painting, so the colour has the depth and richness of a canvas. A tiny variation in pressure or tone is what makes two pieces different, and it is why no two of them are identical.
Any design, any graphic, on stone
This is the part that matters most if you are thinking of a piece of your own. The technique does not belong to one pattern. We can carve and paint any design and any graphic into marble: a logo or a monogram, a coat of arms, a pattern, a landscape, an illustration, lettering, or a drawing made for the occasion. What you see in our collection is one expression of the technique. Your design can be another.
This opens the work to several kinds of projects:
- Private clients who want a personal piece, a family emblem or a design with a story behind it.
- Companies and brands who want their logo or artwork carried by a lasting object, as a gift or as part of a lounge or a collection.
- Hotels, clubs and restaurants who want accessories designed around the identity of the venue.
- Retailers and collectors who want a limited edition with its own artwork.
Send us your design, logo or idea and tell us which piece you have in mind. We will review it and reply with a proposal and a quotation. You can write through our contact page. For larger projects, such as cabinets and rooms, see our bespoke cabinets and our atelier guide.
Why every piece is unique
Two things are never repeated: the natural veining of the marble and the hand of the person painting it. Together they make every object one of a kind. Small differences from the photos are part of what you are buying, not a flaw.
Where you can see it in our collection
The clearest example is the La Casona cigar gift set: a humidor, a table lighter and an ashtray in carved, hand-painted Calacatta Oro marble, a tribute to the colonial casonas of Cuba. The La Casona table lighter is also available on its own, in white marble with a hand-painted relief. Both belong to our limited-edition collection. To see how the rest of our pieces are built, read how a luxury humidor is made in Italy, or browse our luxury humidors, marble ashtrays and table lighters.
How to care for a hand-painted marble piece
Wipe it with a soft, barely damp cloth. Avoid acidic or abrasive products, which can damage both the polished marble and the painted surface.
Why handmade is worth it
A piece made this way is an object you keep. It is a gift that cannot be found in a catalogue and a conversation piece for a cigar lounge or a desk. If you are choosing something for a collector, our guides to luxury cigar gifts and what a serious collector needs can help.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have my own design or logo made on marble?
Yes. We can carve and paint any design and any graphic into marble, from a logo or monogram to a pattern, a landscape or an illustration. Send us your design and we will reply with a proposal and a quotation.
Are Litolite cigar accessories really handmade?
Yes. The stone is polished by hand and the design is painted by hand. A laser is used for one step only, to carve the low relief into the stone with precision.
What is a micro-relief?
A low relief (bas-relief) carved into the marble by laser: a shallow design with edges you can feel, which gives the artwork depth and holds the paint.
Is the painting done by hand?
Yes. Each engraved area is painted with a fine brush by our artisans, using the same paints that are used for fine-art painting.
Will my piece look exactly like the photos?
No. The marble is natural and the painting is done by hand, so each piece differs slightly and is one of a kind.
How do I clean a hand-painted marble piece?
With a soft, barely damp cloth. Avoid acidic or abrasive products.
Where is it made?
In our atelier in Bassano del Grappa, Italy.
How long does delivery take?
Each piece is made to order, so please allow about four to six weeks. For a custom design we confirm the timing with the quotation.
