VASES
2019
Vegetal tanned leather
Different height: 25-30cm, diameter: 8-10 cm
Different cups height: 9-12 cm, diameter: 8cm
Leather vases between digital innovation and craft tradition
Heleen Sintobin is fascinated by craftsmanship and its future in the digital age. Her leather vases, mugs and bottles combine ancient skill and technical innovation, such as CNC milling. This results in a leather structure which can be easily molded into these suprising organic shapes.
The project is also the result of lengthy research into natural ways of treating the material. From the outset, she collaborated with the belgian tannery Radermecker that still treats skins in the traditional way with plant-based tannins made mainly from bark and leaves. She then carried out research on forgotten colouring techniques, rediscovering and experimenting with vinegaroon, a blend of vinegar and steel that reacts with the tannins inside the leather to give it a deep black hue. The finishing touch: artisan sewing handiwork and waterproofing also achieved with natural products.
