Metta Catharina - Limited edition

DESCRIPTION

This wallet is meticulously hand-stitched, crafted from four glued leather pieces. Its appeal lies in both aesthetics and practicality. Notably slim, it occupies minimal pocket space, and its four exposed edges are meticulously burnished and waxed for a polished finish.

CAPACITY

The interior compartment can hold up to 4 cards comfortably with the exterior pockets designed for a single card. The interior can also accommodate folded cash of CAD and USD.

LEATHER

Exterior |  Metta Catharina Shell Cordovan.

Introducing the Metta Catharina Shell, a leather with a captivating history. 

In 1786, while en route to the Mediterranean laden with Russian goods, including leather, the Metta Catharina ship encountered a tempest in Plymouth Sound. Despite the crew's safe landing, the ship and its precious cargo vanished. Fast forward almost two centuries, and underwater explorers stumbled upon a ship's bell resting on the ocean floor. They were able to locate the ship and its cargo, including 200-year-old leather.

Digging into this intriguing tale a few years ago, we embarked on a quest to uncover the secrets of the leather associated with the Metta Catharina. After delving into century-old books, we extracted ancient tanning methods and experimented extensively.

The result? A partial recreation of this lost treasure. Our Metta Catharina Shell isn't an exact replica but embodies key tanning elements: specific tannins, animal fats, natural oils, and crucially, natural wood tars. This imparts a resilient, smoky aroma and robust protection against pests and bacteria.

Crafted differently from our standard products, this shell boasts a unique tanning process, materials, and finishing touches. It exudes an authentic "old-world" feel, thanks to its distinctive aroma and high oil and fat content, offering a soft, yet dense and supple texture.

In a groundbreaking collaboration, we partnered with Conceria Il Ponte, a tannery adorned with gold from LWG audits and a leader in the Consortium Pelle Conciata al Vegetale in Toscana.

Buyers of this article can receive certificates affirming exceptional tanning quality and the use of eco-friendly ingredients.

This leather is not only the first shell crafted using the lost recipes from the sunken ship but also the inaugural shell whose quality is certified by the Consortium's official certificates.

THREAD

Vinymo poly thread

DIMENSIONS

Height - 3”

Width - 4”

GENUINE SHELL CORDOVAN

Genuine Shell Cordovan is the art of tanning at its finest.  More than just a color, it is a very specific leather, from a particular part of a horsehide.  The irregular oval shaped shells are tanned, stuffed, shaved, and then polished – a process taking at least six months.  Each shell is slowly steeped in gentle vegetable liquors. The shells are genuine hot stuffed then slicked onto glass frames to dry.  Each shell is hand curried and shaved by highly skilled artisans to expose the shell. Dyes are hand rubbed on for a deep aniline finish. Finally, the shells are hand glazed to achieve the rich, glossy look and feel prized by fine craftsmen.