Overview
A striking thermos produced by Macabo of Cusano Milanino, Italy, circa 1950s, featuring a sculptural, faceted body covered in tobacco-coloured parchment and refined brass-toned metal details. Its elegant proportions, richly mottled surface and distinctive pouring mechanism make it a sophisticated example of Italian mid-century decorative barware.
 
Description
This thermos combines a dramatically shaped body with the warmth and depth of tobacco-coloured parchment.
The structure develops from a broad, rounded lower section into a slender tapered neck, creating an elegant, almost sculptural silhouette. The exterior is covered in polished parchment arranged in carefully joined panels, whose natural mottling ranges from warm caramel and amber to deeper tobacco-brown tones.
A ribbed brass-toned handle follows the curve of the body, balancing the generous volume of the base and providing a graceful vertical accent. The upper section is completed by a polished metal collar, a sculptural pouring spout and an elongated finial, giving the piece a particularly distinctive and refined profile.
The underside bears the Macabo manufacturer’s mark, identifying the object as a production of the Cusano Milanino company.
 
Design & Function
Conceived as an insulated serving carafe, the thermos features a curved side handle and a sculptural pouring mechanism positioned at the top.
The broad lower body provides stability, while the tapered upper section creates a balanced and elegant pouring form. The ribbed handle offers a secure grip and introduces a decorative linear detail that contrasts with the smooth, rounded volume of the parchment-covered structure.
Today, the piece can be displayed as an important decorative object on a bar cabinet, drinks trolley, console or dining-room sideboard. Its internal thermal performance has not been tested, and it is offered primarily as a collectible vintage object.
 
Materials & Aesthetic
The body is composed of a wooden structure covered in polished tobacco-coloured parchment. The natural material presents pronounced tonal variations, dark mottling and subtle differences between the individual panels, giving the surface a rich and highly individual appearance.
The parchment has a warm, luminous finish that responds beautifully to light, accentuating the faceted construction and the transition between the tapered upper body and the rounded base.
The brass-toned metal handle, collar, spout and finial introduce a luxurious contrast. The polished metal reflects the organic colouring of the parchment, creating a refined balance between tactile natural material and precise decorative metalwork.
 
Technical Details
Product: Macabo Tobacco-Coloured Parchment and Brass Thermos, circa 1950s
Designer: Macabo
Manufacturer: Macabo, Cusano Milanino
Country of Manufacture: Italy
Period: Circa 1950s 
Materials: Tobacco-coloured parchment; wood; brass-toned metal
Dimensions: Height 33cm | Diameter 10cm 
Markings: Manufacturer’s mark to the underside
Condition: Please note that this item is in good vintage condition. The parchment presents natural tonal variations, dark mottling, visible panel joins, surface marks, scratches and a warm patina consistent with the material and the period. The brass-toned metal elements show oxidation, tarnishing, scratches and signs of previous use. We kindly invite you to examine the photographs carefully and take these characteristics into consideration before purchasing.
Functionality: Insulated serving thermos and decorative object; thermal performance has not been tested
 
Collectibility
Macabo objects are appreciated for their distinctive interpretation of Italian mid-century decorative design and for their use of materials such as parchment, wood and metal.
This thermos is particularly notable for its unusual faceted form, deeply mottled tobacco-coloured surface and sculptural brass pouring mechanism. Its strong visual presence allows it to function independently as a decorative object, while the marked underside confirms its manufacture by Macabo of Cusano Milanino.
 
Designer & Manufacturer
Macabo was an Italian manufacturer based in Cusano Milanino that produced decorative and functional objects during the mid-20th century, including barware and accessories made with wood, metal and parchment.
This thermos exemplifies the company’s taste for sculptural silhouettes and luxurious surface treatments. The richly mottled parchment transforms the practical wooden structure into a decorative object, while the ribbed handle and elaborate brass-toned top give the piece a distinctive and theatrical character.
 
JF Gallery Design, founder and curator of the official Aldo Tura Archive, wishes to clarify an important matter regarding attribution. Macabo is frequently and incorrectly associated with Aldo Tura and with the production of Tura Milano, particularly because both companies created objects using parchment. Despite this similarity in materials, Macabo was an independent manufacturer and had no connection with the designer Aldo Tura or with the Tura Milano company. This thermos must therefore be correctly attributed exclusively to Macabo of Cusano Milanino.