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Leather Bifold Wallet: Hand-Tooled Memento Mori art

Carry a powerful memento mori with this leather bifold wallet. Featuring the hand-tooled Trionfo della Morte original medieval fresco, this 100% handmade Italian vegetable-tanned leather accessory is a true historical statement. Saddle-stitched with waxed linen thread, it guarantees uncompromising durability and artisan refinement for your everyday carry.

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Regular price €310,00 EUR
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  • 100% individually handcrafted in Italy
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The Triumph of Death: A Historical Allegory for Your Everyday Carry

Inspired by the late-15th-century fresco Trionfo della Morte (1485) by Giacomo Borlone de Buschis, this wallet preserves one of the most poignant messages of medieval Europe: the inevitability and impartiality of death. On the front, death appears as an unyielding crowned skeleton "La Morte Regina" refusing gifts from a gathering of pleading figures.

On the back, the Danza Macabra unfolds. A skeleton leads two souls toward their divergent fates: one descending toward a monstrous hellmouth, the other ascending toward the serene heavens. Each detail deeply hand-tooled into this leather bifold wallet revives the voice of the original mural, not as a warning to fear, but as a profound invitation to reflect.

This is more than a vessel for what we possess; it is a serious memento mori art piece reminding us that what defines us is how we face what we must one day leave behind. Perfect for historians, philosophers, and lovers of macabre art, this accessory brings unmistakable authority and philosophical weight to your daily routine.

Technical Specifications

  • Fits on All ages, Teens, and Adults: Unisex, Male, and Female
  • Heritage everyday carry and Medieval Style: Wallet and Card holder
  • Ideal for: Card organization, Bill compartment, and Coin storage
  • Vegetable-Tanned Cowhide Full-grain Leather
  • Hand-dyed/hand-painted: Natural Tooling + Natural / Natural Stitching and Natural Tooling + Dark Brown / Natural Stitching
  • Size X:130 mm, Y:100 mm, Z:30 mm

Why My Gear Must Be Handmade

  • Certified Tuscan Veg-Tan Leather: Crafted from 100% genuine Italian leather sourced from Walpier and Badalassi, certified by the Consorzio Vera Pelle Italiana Conciata al Vegetale, ensuring a premium, natural aging process.
  • Precision Hand-Tooling: The intricate fresco composition is deeply hand-tooled using custom-designed clichés to enhance the skeletal forms and hand-carved scrolls. We absolutely never use automated laser engraving.
  • Traditional Saddle-Stitching: Each section is meticulously hand-sewn with waxed pure linen thread to guarantee structural integrity that outlasts mass-produced machine stitching.
  • Functional Design: Inside, the wallet offers six standard card slots, two utility pockets, and one full-length compartment for bills.

The Art of Traditional Leather Sculpting

Each Trionfo della Morte wallet is meticulously hand-tooled and hand-finished in my Italian workshop. Every piece is a singular expression of time, gesture, and craftsmanship. The complex composition is deeply hand-tooled into the Italian vegetable-tanned leather using custom-designed clichés developed through direct reference to the original fresco and its structural motifs.

Once the relief emerges, the leather is hand-dyed in warm, antiqued brown tones. This deliberate finishing process greatly enhances the depth and contrast across the skeletal forms and the deeply tooled scrolls. There is absolutely no mass production or industrial machinery involved.

The tan interior is assembled and saddle-stitched by hand using durable waxed linen thread, ensuring the accessory will withstand the rigors of daily use. Finally, each section is hand-polished to ensure long-lasting refinement. As the leather ages, it will soften and darken, developing a unique patina that reflects its personal journey. A certificate seal from the Consortium is included with each wallet.

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.

Free, fully tracked worldwide shipping from my workshop in Italy is included in all prices, using only trusted couriers. Travel times are usually 2-7 business days.

Important Security Notice: Because I craft high-value handmade items, any order over €200 strictly requires a signature upon delivery. I do not allow these packages to be left unattended on porches or doorsteps. In the rare event you notice major damage or signs of tampering on the package upon arrival, please accept it but sign "with reserve" (specifying the damage to the courier) and immediately send a photo to info@reliqleather.com. This step is essential to activate the shipping insurance I have included for your piece.

While applicable taxes are already covered at checkout, please note that for international shipments outside the EU (including the US), any specific customs clearance fees or import duties levied by your local border agency remain the sole responsibility of the buyer.

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 14 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.