Tooled Leather Bifold Wallet: Huon de Bordeaux

Regular price €355,00 EUR
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Handcrafted by 16 Nov

Carry a 13th-century chivalric legend in your pocket with this tooled leather bifold wallet. Individually handcrafted in Italy from certified Tuscan full-grain vegetable-tanned cowhide, it...

Carry a 13th-century chivalric legend in your pocket with this tooled leather bifold wallet. Individually handcrafted in Italy from certified Tuscan full-grain vegetable-tanned cowhide, it features deep hand-tooled medieval reliefs from the epic of Huon de Bordeaux and two-needle waxed linen saddle-stitching built to endure decades of daily use.

  • Handcrafted in Italy by a Solo Artisan
  • Pay in interest-free installments (PayPal)
  • Secure Checkout (Shopify Pay & PayPal)
  • Complimentary Insured Delivery over €150/$280
  • Selected materials to endure decades
  • Want a custom design? Bespoke options below

Technical Specifications

  • Fits on Adults: Unisex
  • Medieval Style: Wallet and Card holder
  • Ideal for: Coin storage, Card organization, and Bill compartment
  • Veg-Tan Walpier Buttero, Badalassi Wax, and Badalassi Pueblo Full-grain Leather
  • Hand-dyed: Dark Brown
  • Size length: 130 mm, height: 100 mm, width: 30 mm

Customizable options

Want to personalize this piece? Custom hand-tooling and structural changes are crafted from scratch and incur an extra fee above the base price, quoted by complexity.

Have reference images? Email me directly at info@reliqleather.com or use the form below.

Available on this piece: Custom hand-tooled designs, monograms, dye shades.

Chivalric Lore in Your Pocket: An Epic Medieval Narrative for Everyday Carry

Inspired by the 13th-century French chanson de geste, Les Prouesses et faitz du noble Huon de Bordeaux, this handcrafted leather wallet brings a legendary tale of exile and courage into your daily pocket carry. Cast out by Emperor Charlemagne, the knight Huon is sent on an impossible mission to Babylon: he must return with the teeth and beard of Emir Gaudisse to reclaim his honor. Every time you reach for your cards or coins, your fingers trace this epic odyssey across both sides of the bifold. The front panel depicts Huon locked in mortal combat with the fierce giant Angolafer to gain entry to the stronghold. The reverse captures the dramatic climax of his quest: his perilous confrontation with the formidable Emir Gaudisse.

Unlike oversized coat wallets that require a jacket breast pocket or belt bag, this compact bifold format slips effortlessly into your front or back trouser pocket. Measuring 130 mm in length, 100 mm in height, and 30 mm in width when closed, it balances commanding medieval artistry with practical everyday carry ergonomics for modern life.

Inside, the layout is engineered for daily convenience without sacrificing historical soul. Depending on your selected internal build, it houses either a secure snap-button coin pouch with three card slots or a sleek six-slot card layout, backed by hidden slip pockets and a deep bill compartment for unfolded banknotes.

Because each piece is crafted to order, you have the freedom to curate your own medieval narrative. Rather than simple monograms, Bespoke service allows you to swap these panels for other iconic scenes from the epic, such as Huon's fateful encounter with Oberon, King of the Faes. If you wish to carry the entire panoramic tapestry of his journey without choosing between scenes, explore the matching Huon de Bordeaux Leather Long Wallet to experience the full legend on an expanded canvas.

Handmade & materials values

  • Certified Tuscan Veg-Tan Leather: Crafted from 100% genuine Italian full-grain cowhide sourced from Walpier and Badalassi Carlo, certified by the Consorzio Vera Pelle Italiana Conciata al Vegetale for a rich, natural aging process.
  • Deep Sculptural Hand-Tooling: Both exterior panels are deeply hand-tooled using custom clichés inspired by 13th-century manuscript illuminations, creating a high-relief chiaroscuro texture with zero automated laser etching.
  • Two-Needle Hand Saddle-Stitching: Meticulously hand-sewn with waxed pure linen thread so every stitch is locked independently, guaranteeing structural integrity that far outlasts machine lock-stitching.
  • Pocket-Ready Bifold Ergonomics: Compact 130 x 100 x 30 mm bifold silhouette featuring a full-length bill compartment, hidden slip pockets, and your choice of a brass snap-button coin pouch with 3 card slots or a 6-card slot interior.

The Art of Traditional Leather Sculpting & Hand Saddle-Stitching

Every single wallet is individually crafted by a solo artisan in our Italian workshop, ensuring each piece carries the unmistakable authority of true leathercraft. There is no industrial mass production, no synthetic fabric lining, and no automated machine stamping involved.

  • Premium Materials: 100% genuine full-grain cowhide sourced directly from prestigious Tuscan tanneries (Walpier and Badalassi Carlo), certified by the Consorzio Vera Pelle Italiana Conciata al Vegetale.
  • Deep Sculptural Hand-Tooling: Inspired by 13th-century manuscript marginalia, the medieval narrative is deeply hand-carved into dampened vegetable-tanned leather to raise crisp, high-relief contours of the knight, giant, and foliage.
  • Antiqued Chiaroscuro Finish: The exterior is dyed entirely by hand. Darker pigments are deliberately settled into the recessed background while the raised peaks remain warm and luminous, creating a dramatic, tactile depth.
  • Two-Needle Hand Saddle-Stitching: The interior compartments are joined using traditional saddle-stitching with waxed pure linen thread. Unlike machine lock-stitching, each stitch is locked independently to guarantee lifetime structural integrity.
  • Weather-Resistant Edge Burnishing: The multi-layered leather edges are sanded flush, beveled by hand, and vigorously burnished with natural waxes to achieve a smooth, sealed finish.
  • Break-In & Patina: Delivered slightly firm as a hallmark of authentic full-grain veg-tan leather, the bifold will quickly soften and mold perfectly to the contours of your cards and pocket over the first weeks of daily wear.
  • Absolute Uniqueness: Because every hide displays its own natural grain variations, subtle growth marks, and organic dye absorption, no two wallets will ever be exactly identical.

Worldwide Shipping: If your country isn't at checkout, email info@reliqleather.com and I'll personally set it up for you!

Faq

Your gear requires minimal effort to last a lifetime. Every piece leaves the workshop deeply treated with specific oils locked into the fibers, providing long-lasting protection right out of the box.

  • Routine Conditioning (Every ~2 Years): Apply a very thin veil of solid conditioner (such as a high-quality saddle soap or leather balm) using a soft cotton cloth. Apply this directly to the "rough" side (flesh side) of the leather. Rub gently and evenly; this allows the oils to penetrate deeply without making the exterior greasy.
  • What to Avoid: Stay away from pure liquid products like Neatsfoot oil. They require professional dosing and can easily oversaturate and compromise the leather's structure.
  • Restoring the Shine: To revive the exterior finish, apply an atomized wax-based product to the smooth side (grain side). Let it absorb, then buff it out until you reach your desired gloss. Regardless of maintenance, your item will naturally develop a profound patina with use, growing more beautiful year after year.
  • Weather & Elements: Vegetable-tanned leather is a natural material. Despite our treatments, it is never 100% waterproof. Avoid leaving your gear exposed to heavy rain for prolonged periods to prevent the leather from stiffening slightly as it dries. Additionally, extended exposure to direct sunlight will naturally darken the leather (most noticeable on lighter colors).

If an item is not currently in stock, your order immediately secures a dedicated production slot. I cut, tool, and stitch every single piece by hand myself. The average creation time is always clearly indicated on each product page, and it never exceeds 10 working days for any standard catalog item.

If you need a specific modification, bespoke sizing, or a completely custom design, please email me directly. I am always happy and available to discuss new projects, and I will personally reply to all inquiries with a tailored quote within 48 hours.

I craft my gear exclusively using 100% rugged, authentic, full-grain vegetable-tanned cowhide—never composite, bonded, or chemically altered materials. When your piece first arrives, it will feel slightly stiff. This is not a flaw; it is the ultimate certificate of quality. It proves that the natural fibers are completely intact and that the piece has been structurally reinforced to its absolute maximum capacity.

Unlike industrial alternatives that are chemically broken down to feel immediately soft—resulting in a weak, flaccid structure that degrades rapidly—my authentic leather requires a brief break-in period. With regular use, the fibers will naturally yield and mold, taking shape and adapting perfectly to your specific movements and its intended purpose for decades to come.

🌍 Worldwide Priority Insured Delivery
Every single piece at Reliq Leather is carved, dyed, and stitched by hand. I do not compromise on the final step of my craft. To guarantee the safety of your investment, I exclusively use Priority Insured couriers for all global shipments. I do not offer uninsured standard mail options. Your order is fully tracked and protected from my workbench in Italy directly to your hands.

  • EU: Complimentary Priority Insured Delivery on orders over €150 (a flat €15 insured rate applies for orders below).
  • Global: Complimentary Priority Insured Delivery on orders over $280 (a flat regional insured rate applies for orders below).

Travel times are typically 2–7 business days, though remote global destinations may require additional transit time.

Strict Security & Insurance Policy
Because I craft high-value handmade items, I default to signature-required delivery whenever supported by the courier’s network in your specific area. My goal is to prevent packages from being left unattended on porches or doorsteps.

In the rare event you notice major damage or signs of tampering on the package upon arrival, and the courier hands it to you directly, you must accept it but sign "with reserve" (specifying the damage to the driver) and immediately send a photo to info@reliqleather.com. This step is non-negotiable to activate the shipping insurance protecting your piece.

Customs & Import Duties
While applicable taxes are handled at checkout for covered regions, please note that for international shipments outside the EU, any specific customs clearance fees or import duties levied by your local border agency remain the sole responsibility of the buyer.

Unlisted Destinations
As a solo artisan, I have pre-set the most common global shipping routes at checkout. If your country is not currently listed, contact info@reliqleather.com. I will manually calculate the required insured shipping route for your specific destination.

Returns & Exchanges
I stand firmly behind the structural integrity of my leathercraft. If a standard catalog item does not meet your expectations, I accept returns within 30 days of delivery, provided the item is completely unused and in its original condition. Please note that I cannot accept returns or exchanges on custom or bespoke pieces due to their personalized nature.

Extended Support & Repairs
I pour my heart into every piece I craft, and my ultimate goal is for your gear to serve you flawlessly for years to come. Because these artifacts are meant for intense use, I typically include spare parts for the components most subject to stress.

If any structural issue arises down the line, I am fully committed to helping you find the best solution:

  • Minor Fixes: For easy interventions, I can supply you with the necessary replacement materials, you will only need to cover the minimal shipping costs.
  • Complex Repairs: Items requiring more extensive structural repairs will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Whether it has been two weeks or five years since your purchase, I remain completely at your disposal. Simply reach out to me at info@reliqleather.com or via WhatsApp, and we will sort it out.