Our Napoléon III Lines are hand made by master craftsmen. The finished product is a leather-like material of great resilience. This French Bag is fashioned of sumptuous Galuchat. Galuchat leather is known for its delicate, pebbled texture and soft sheen and is characterised by small enamel nodules. The originality comes from the two tones obtained from a shine and a matt colouring. Its grain is natural and its irregular aspect inherent in the Galuchat and the resulting variance in design and subtle tones gives it specificity and beauty. The Galuchat is combined with suitable fine velvet leather.

This chic French Bag is baptised after Eugénie de Montijo, the wife of Napoléon III, last Emperor of France. As she was educated and very intelligent, Eugénie's husband usually consulted her on important questions. Also by her beauty, elegance, and charm of manner she contributed greatly to the brilliance of the imperial regime. When the empress wore the new cage crinolines in 1855, European fashion followed suit, and when she abandoned vast skirts at the end of the 1860s, at the encouragement of her legendary couturier, Charles Worth, the silhouette of women's dress followed her lead again. Eugénie's aristocratic elegance, splendor of dress and legendary jewels are well documented in innumerable paintings.

This model in Galuchat Lichen and with a golden metal jewel for highest requirements is equipped with a removable, elegant and solid safety chain, as well as a high technology-quality polished metal with beautiful satin taps (ribbon Rosaline). It has an external snap patch pocket for credit card with an invisible button. Beige velvet lining and velvet pouch.

Dimensions (inches):4, 9" x 4, 9" x 1, 4 maximal Length with bracelet: 9,1"

Price inclusiv VAT (where applicable) and shipping costs

Galuchat is an exceptional leather, rare and very precious. It combines beauty, exoticism, suppleness and extreme resistance. It has been used for centuries to create or decorate the most precious articles. It was named after Louis XV master leather artisan, Jean-Claude Galuchat, who introduced this exotic material to France during the 18th century and became a fashionable material for decorative arts. He used the scarce skins to manufacture luxurious items such as jewellery boxes and extraordinary furniture. It quickly became a fashion amongst the French aristocracy, and appears to have migrated throughout Europe by the mid-18th century. It is also termed sharkskin or Galuchat. GALUCHAT is the skin of various fish - small sharks, spotted dogfish and skate. Marie Antoinette and Napoléon III were among its famous collectors. Under Louis XV and particularly under Napoléon III it was dyed and used to cover certain luxury objects. Under Napoléon III it was one of the most famous precious materials to be combined with various items. It returned to fashion in 1910 and 1925-50 when it was used by cabinetmakers like Clément Rousseau to cover entire pieces of furniture. It was also a popular decorative material during the Art Deco period. The first signs of this alluring textile dates back to 8th century Japan where it was used for breastplates, sheaths, and the handle on swords, due to its resilient texture. Nowadays it is used to manufacture luxurious leather goods.