Vegetable Tanned Leather Accessories

Vegetable Tanned Leather Accessories

Have you ever heard of Vegetable Tanned Leather? If the answer is no, I highly recommend reading this article, because we will delve deep into this subject, including insights on wonderful accessories made with this technique! 

Vegetable tanned leather: what is it and why it is used to manufacture accessories

Vegetable tanned leather is obtained from cow, goat, or sheep skins that undergo a process called “tanning” that prevents decomposition. The term “vegetable” refers instead to the substance used for tanning: it is a natural extract which comes from some vegetable species and is called tannin. 

Characteristics and facts about Vegetable Tanned Leather

Vegetable tanned leather is cruelty free: the hides are in fact reclaimed food industry waste. Obviously, we’re not talking about “vegan” materials, but no animal is usually killed to just obtain the skins.

Furthermore, tanned leather products are hypoallergenic and therefore particularly suitable for people suffering from allergies: let us remind you that the tannins are natural extracts which are free of toxic substances or heavy metals.

Some trivia: if you want to recognise vegetable tanned leather from other similar materials, try to smell it. In fact, tannin-based tanning usually permeates the leather with an intense perfume, the classic “smell of leather”, which is definitely unmistakable! 

Vegetable tanned leather accessories: some purchase advice 

Due to its beauty and quality, tanned leather is very often used to produce accessories and clothes. In this case, what we suggest buying first are Manufactus accessories!  

Manufactus products are all hand-made, using high quality vegetable tanned leathers. Each of the brand’s vegetable tanned leather accessories are unique pieces characterised by attention to the smallest details: that’s why Manufactus is a tribute to Made in Italy, something that makes our country so well known and beloved all over the world!

Amalfi Paper Journal

Paper Amalfi journals

If you are looking for a gift for a special occasion or someone dear to you, this article is mandatory! Have you ever heard of the wonderful and refined Amalfi paper? This is the right opportunity to get to know something new. Today, I will show you one of the most special products from Manufactus, and one that we are most fond of: the Amalfi paper journals. 

Amalfi Paper Journals: The Reasons Behind their Peerless BeautyBefore showing you some examples of what you will find in our store, let’s take a few steps back, and start from the beginning: what is Amalfi paper and why it makes our leather journals so special!

Amalfi Paper: Some Historical Notes

The first appearance of Amalfi paper dates back to the 13th century, even if, according to some sources, the first paper mills were already working during the decades before.

It was initially used for notarial documents, until emperor Frederick I forbade its use in 1220, regarding the Amalfi paper much less durable than traditional parchment paper.

Despite the ban on use, the paper mills in Amalfi continued to operate, so much so that it is still possible to find 15th-century archive documents made of Amalfi paper.

The year 1954 was a tragic one for these type of specialised paper mills: in fact, a strong flood caused the destruction of all but three factories. The same fate befell the families of paper makers: the only ones which continued to operate in the field were those of Francesco Imperato, who still produces Amalfi paper in Palermo; the Milano family, to whom we owe the transformation of their paper mill into a Museum (The Amalfi Paper Museum); the Amatruda family, which is the best known and most famous to date, and that still carries on the production of handmade Amalfi paper.

Nowadays, the Amalfi paper is mostly employed for wedding and other ceremonies’ announcements.

Amalfi Paper Production Process

Amalfi paper is produced using white linen, cotton, and hemp rags, instead of wood cellulose. For this reason, Amalfi paper is also known as Charta Bambagina.

In ancient production, the fabrics were reduced to a pulp by means of nailed hammers which were activated by large hydraulically propelled mills: today, on the other hand, more technological and sophisticated machines are employed, which make it possible to achieve a greater refinement in the end product.

The resulting paste is then dissolved in water, filtered, and eventually transformed into sheets by use of special frames. 

Handmade Amalfi paper notebooks: Manufactus products

Taking into account the great elegance and refinement of the Amalfi paper, Manufactus could not fail to devote an entire series of notebooks to this prestigious product of Italian craftsmanship.

In our store you can find handmade leather notebooks with Amalfi paper sheets, like the following ones:

If you are not interested in a notebook (but why wouldn’t you?), but you simply need some Amalfi paper to fill your notebooks, you can still buy it as a stand-alone product. How to do so? Take a look right below!

Handmade leather Desk Pad

Handmade leather desk pad

Within an environment where we usually spend a lot of time, whether it be the office or your room, an ordered layout is very important. In fact, to be as functional as possible, and help us concentrate, a workplace or study must necessarily be welcoming, well-lit and, of course, orderly. So, how can you not focus first on your desk? It’ s the place where ideas are created par excellence, the place where we spend planning the future for hours on end, studying for our exam sessions, or working on the computer for the upcoming deadlines. In this article, I will give you some advice on how to improve this fundamental space, starting with a must-have accessory: a handmade leather desk pad by Manufactus!

How to furnish the desk: why the desk pad is so important

The desk pad is a very versatile piece of furniture that can perform various functions. First of all, it can add a touch of personality to your desk, which is no small feat! Secondly, it can protect the tabletop from scratches and bumps and give it a more polished look. But not all desk pads are the same, you know? Let’s take a look at the different types.

Desk pad: types

There are different types of desk pad on the market, and I will just point out two of them:

– “desk mat”: useful for writing as well as for protecting the table

– “folding desk pad”: allows you to store useful documents and materials for your activities 

Desk pads can also vary according to the materials which they are made of. My advice is to always choose a leather desk pad, which is the perfect option if one wants to bring elegance to a desk and, at the same time, to have an accessory that lasts for a long time.

An example of this very valid accessory is the handmade desk pads by Manufactus, a brand that is already recognised worldwide for the quality of its craftsmanship, and the usage of only authentic leather. 

Take a look at these items! 

The ancient inkwell where to buy it online and where to find

If you entered by chance an antique shop and were literally struck by its display of ancient writing tools, this review surely fits your needs! In fact, I will now tell you about the Ancient Inkwell, an item that, to this day, is still highly sought after and used as a writing tool. Moreover, I will tell you where to buy it and which are the best models to choose!

The ancient inkwell: history of a fascinating item

The term “inkwell” derives from the ancient Greek calamos (κάλαμος), which described the pointed rod of the terminal part of the pen, which was used to write. In time, the term “Calamaio” referred instead to the small container which held the ink used for writing with the quill (the pen, in fact). Said container, often made of glass, pewter, porcelain, or brass, was placed next to the person who was writing, and was filled with an ink obtained from various sources, such as berries or lampblack. 

The history of the Inkwell dates back to the Egyptians. In fact, they were the first to use wooden tablets, where two colour trays were dug: one holding black ink and the other red ink. The Romans, on the other hand, used actual jars, which were often lavishly decorated. It was only in the Middle Ages, however, that the art of the inkwell took hold; notably, they became increasingly refined and precious items. On the contrary, in the 19th century we witness the decline of the Inkwell: in the United States, in fact, it was devised a way to house the ink directly inside the pen, thus the Fountain Pen was born. 

The ancient inkwell today

Today, the inkwell is an ancient item, owned or used mostly by vintage lovers and collectors. In an era in which writing is less and less physical and more and more “digital”, those who approach writing with inkwells and quills are unfortunately akin to an endangered species. But you know, rare species must be protected, that’s why today I want to show you something unique: the antique writing sets designed by Manufactus! 

Antique Writing Set: buy your antique inkwell now

Manufactus, a unique brand of its kind, when it comes to Made in Italy craftsmanship, offers you the possibility to choose many ancient writing sets from its vast product list. You can see some examples here. You can choose between wooden, pewter, or glass inkwells: the choice of nibs is vast, and then there’s the wonderful set of quills: 

To buy these stunning antique inkwells, just click on the product you prefer: you will receive it at your home after a few days. Otherwise, in case you are in Rome, Siena, Lecce or Venice, search “Manufactus” on Google, then come and buy it directly in our stores! 

Travel leather bags handmade in Rome

Bags are one of the most popular accessories for women (and men, too)! Handmade leather bags, probably the most desired and appreciated ones, will give you a unique style: once you fall in love with them, you won’t be able to do without, ever! At any rate, bags are not only accessories that emphasise our looks, but also everyday items. This article will focus on bags which are useful when travelling and will help you choose the best handmade travel leather bags. 

Travel leather bags: a bit of history

The history of this type of bag began a long time ago: believe it or not, originally this accessory was for men only. Notably, men used bags since prehistoric times, as a tool to carry items and money, or something which resembled it.

Despite such an ancient tradition, the use of the name “bag” (in Italian, “borsa”) became common only in the 13th century, when the first leather bags were produced (the word derives from the Greek “byrsa”, which means “leather”). 

The first handmade leather bags

The first evidence of leather working dates back to the 12th century, in Tuscany. Mainly, craftsmen processed steer and buffalo hides, but the most refined products were obtained from goats, chamois, and calves. The first examples of bags were saddlebags, travel bags typically used by pilgrims and messengers. Meanwhile, in Venice, leather began to be used for various creations, from travel bags to those intended for goods, or also those used for carrying small items or money. 

The end of bags and their comeback

In the 1600s, the concept of the bag as a useful accessory for “carrying” things came to an end. In fact, personal items were stored directly inside the clothes, or even in the muff, an accessory that was used both to warm the hands and carry small items.

The return of the “bag”, on the other hand, took place between the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, when the development of new methods of transportation, and the taste for the exotic, made bags a necessary element for traveling. This is how the first travel leather bags, used by wealthy ladies of the time, were created, as functional, practical, but also aesthetically refined items. World War I would once again change the shape of bags, which inevitably became simple “containers” of sturdy leather, without any added frills.

After the war, the bag struck back: for example, we got the first designer purses. Eventually, especially after World War II, the need for social events and a personal style become more and more important, to the point of making the bag a must-have accessory, which has to be carefully chosen. 

Handmade travel leather bags made in Rome: which one to choose

There are plenty of handmade leather travel bags, created by many different brands: we are going to give you some tips to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.

Do you want comfort? Choose Manufactus travel leather bags

Manufactus is a brand that follows ancient traditions and techniques: with several stores and its e-commerce website, it carries on the values of Made in Italy craftsmanship all over the world. Thanks to its unique, refined leather processing, Manufactus is a leading firm in the industry of handmade leather bags, and constantly provides new models to meet the needs and tastes of all its customers.

Among our selection of travel bags, we recommend the following ones: 

Manufactus stores are based in Rome, Siena, Venice, and Lecce, but you can also buy our products online!

Handmade Journals in Rome

Craftsmanship is among those area of expertise that contributed to making Italy great: this country, in fact, always held a deep connection with creative manual skills, art, and beauty. “Making things by hand” takes us back to ancient times, to those people that have taught us so many things, which nowadays are slowly being forgotten, due to technology’s ever-increasing advancements. Luckily enough, however, there are still those who do not give up on creating excellent products in the old ways: this is the case for Manufactus, an Italian company specialising in the creation of handmade journals. The head office is based in Rome, but we have many branches in different parts of Italy!

Handmade Journals: their origin

The term ‘notebook’ (in Italian, ‘taccuino’) derives from the Arabic taquîm, which can be translated as “ordered arrangement”. During the 14th and 15th centuries, notebooks were handmade, by combining the bound sheets together. Handmade journals were so fundamental to organise information that the technique to produce them was even taught to children in school.

The oldest known pocket diary dates back to 1804, when explorers Lewis and Clark used one of them in a journey. After a while, in 1860, the notebook appeared in France and Germany: it’s during this period that some decorations, inspired by ancient China and Japan traditions, began to be applied on them.

Many patents were created in the 1900s, especially in England. And in Italy? Surely, some of you know about the legendary Moleskine! Notably, the widespread use of notebooks in our country can be traced back to the establishment of that company, founded in 1997 in Milan. 

What a journal is for and how it can be customised

A journal can be used for various purposes: to jot down notes, as a simple writing support, as a sketchbook or a drawing book, for a literary or artistic collection, and an as exercise book for school.

The binding and cover can be customised with prints and images, depending on the type of materials employed (leather, paper, and so on). 

Purchase
Purchase
Purchase

Handmade journal crafted in Rome: Manufactus by Luca Natalizia

As regards customising handmade journals, we cannot fail to mention Manufactus, a historic brand, based in Rome, that managed to let ancient Italian craftsmanship, that is employed in the production of particular and refined objects, be known on a global scale.

Manufactus notebooks are characterised by the constant pursuit of a style recalling fashion and tastes typical of the past centuries, but with a modern touch. The materials used are leather and hide, which are skilfully treated, in order to respect their inherent and aesthetic features.

If you want to learn more about the handmade notebooks crafted in Rome by Manufactus, you can visit our website, or visit us at the following stores.

Being able to appreciate first-hand the beauty of these products is priceless, thus we highly recommend you visit our stores soon! If you reside abroad or just too far away, feel free to visit our online shop and purchase our products completely safely.