Volynka Russian Leather
- Thread starter Tony Yang
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I haven't seen in person, but in the pictures, looks closer to the one used by Tanner Bates, like Pautinka's bag.
Volynka looks more like a darker brown
While Crockett and Jones looks more red
Thank you allanrvj Seeing these all lined up, tanner bates does look the closest to my russian reindeer.I haven't seen in person, but in the pictures, looks closer to the one used by Tanner Bates, like Pautinka's bag.
Volynka looks more like a darker brown
While Crockett and Jones looks more red
Many thanks!
lol you can't have it, no one can. it's only available for viewing at the Conservatoire des créations Hermès in Pantin.
Allan, you are a superstar! I may look into this book myself, purely because the history of the leather fascinates me. And well done on contacting Mme (or Mlle ) Blouet - how proactive!
Remember I said that I couldn't compare the scents of my original 1786 keyring (the one in the photo) with my bag because I was choked with the cold? I am all better now and I just wanted to say that there is a very slight difference. The leather fob is somewhat deeper and smokier but I guess that's what over two hundred years of marinading in the brine does for you. All in all though, the Tanner Bates leather is a very good replication of the original. Walking along the road with it I find I occasionally get a whiff of it coming through the air! The Volynka seems to look much more heavily embossed though and it would appear from your post that perhaps this is done intentionally for H by the tannery.
Thank you so much!
Remember I said that I couldn't compare the scents of my original 1786 keyring (the one in the photo) with my bag because I was choked with the cold? I am all better now and I just wanted to say that there is a very slight difference. The leather fob is somewhat deeper and smokier but I guess that's what over two hundred years of marinading in the brine does for you. All in all though, the Tanner Bates leather is a very good replication of the original. Walking along the road with it I find I occasionally get a whiff of it coming through the air! The Volynka seems to look much more heavily embossed though and it would appear from your post that perhaps this is done intentionally for H by the tannery.
Thank you so much!
You are welcome. And thanks for the compliment
All of it is indeed fascinating. Mme Elise (she's now married; her full name is Elise Blouet-Ménard) first consulted old texts related to making the Russian leather, but either they contradict each other or they provide ingredients that are unnecessary to producing the leather (dog poop, oatmeal, to name a few). So it is true that there was no recipe to get it from, and she had to rely on scientists and perfumers to identify the ingredients and the process. And then she had to look for a tannery, where she got rejected many times, before she arrived at Baker.
The old leather smells smokier probably because of the way the birch oil is produced. The old way of getting birch tar (where the oil comes from) uses more air, and therefore producing more ashes, and the modern way uses an airtight container, which produces less ash.
I am looking forward to owning something in Volynka one day, having gone this far into researching about it.
Dog poo? Bleurgh. Thank heavens they don't use that any more!!!You are welcome. And thanks for the compliment
All of it is indeed fascinating. Mme Elise (she's now married; her full name is Elise Blouet-Ménard) first consulted old texts related to making the Russian leather, but either they contradict each other or they provide ingredients that are unnecessary to producing the leather (dog poop, oatmeal, to name a few). So it is true that there was no recipe to get it from, and she had to rely on scientists and perfumers to identify the ingredients and the process. And then she had to look for a tannery, where she got rejected many times, before she arrived at Baker.
The old leather smells smokier probably because of the way the birch oil is produced. The old way of getting birch tar (where the oil comes from) uses more air, and therefore producing more ashes, and the modern way uses an airtight container, which produces less ash.
I am looking forward to owning something in Volynka one day, having gone this far into researching about it. [emoji2]
I very much look forward to one day seeing you carry a Volynka goodie on your arm! [emoji847]
So a Volynka exhibition is currently in London at the New Bond Street store!
They have all the pieces in the collection, all stored in their own little personal Perspex boxes with 'sniffer' tags to open up and inhale the oaky, woody goodness of this incredible leather. Items include the HAC 50, Plume 40, Bolide 45 and the A4 size Ulysse cover, with bonus brush!
Sadly I couldn't touch the leather and I'm still not 100% sold on the embossed appearance, but oh my is the scent something different.
PS sorry the pictures aren't amazing, quick snaps coupled with too much overhead lighting coupled with Perspex reflections!
They have all the pieces in the collection, all stored in their own little personal Perspex boxes with 'sniffer' tags to open up and inhale the oaky, woody goodness of this incredible leather. Items include the HAC 50, Plume 40, Bolide 45 and the A4 size Ulysse cover, with bonus brush!
Sadly I couldn't touch the leather and I'm still not 100% sold on the embossed appearance, but oh my is the scent something different.
PS sorry the pictures aren't amazing, quick snaps coupled with too much overhead lighting coupled with Perspex reflections!
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Nice! the HAC 50 looks very nice though practically I'm not sure when I would ever use it. Kind of interesting yet logical it's at the Bond st store, considering the biggest inventory of Russian Reindeer leather goods are around there (GJ Cleverly, etc.).
I'm afraid I didn't ask too many questions, I was there quite late in the day and wanted to get out of their hair to allow them to close!
With more time I'd probably have asked to get some of those beauties out of their cases
