Badalassi Carlo Oliva Minerva

Oliva Minerva begins with full-grain cow shoulder sections processed through traditional vegetable tanning methods. Each hide is treated with extracts of trunk and bark inside wood barrels following methods dating back hundreds of years. Badalassi Carlo greases the hides with a mixture of animal fats before coloring them in a drum, establishing olive green tones throughout the material.

The full aniline dyeing process penetrates completely through the leather thickness, ensuring edges maintain consistent coloring without requiring additional paint or dye. The leather receives certification from the Pelle Vegetale Consortium (Consorzio Vera Pelle Italiana), verifying adherence to strict traditional vegetable tanning standards. The leather is infused with a proprietary blend of Italian fats and waxes to achieve the buttery hand characteristic of vacchetta leather.

Oliva Minerva presents olive green tones in a very smooth surface with soft, matte finish rich in natural character. The full-grain structure maintains natural characteristics while the Italian fat wax infusion provides the depth of color and medium handle associated with vacchetta leather. The leather is available in two thickness options: 1.2-1.4 millimeters (3-3.5 ounces) suitable for wallets, bags, and thinner goods, and 1.8-2.0 millimeters for bags, belts, and general leathergoods.

The squared shoulder sections provide the cleanest yield with minimal scars or insect bites, with average hide sizes ranging from 12 to 16 square feet. The leather burnishes exceptionally well, creating glass-like edges when properly finished. Rubbing the leather with a dry cloth burnishes it brighter and moves the color darker, demonstrating the responsive nature of the vegetable-tanned surface.

The aging characteristics of Oliva Minerva center on the development of rich patina as the leather responds to use and handling. The surface develops deeper and more complex olive green tones over time while maintaining the transparency of color that allows the full-grain structure to remain visible. The vegetable tanning process and fat wax treatment ensure the leather exhibits natural color development that can be enhanced with creams and waxes.

The burnishing properties become more pronounced with age, with areas subjected to frequent handling developing smoother, shinier surfaces. The leather continues to darken and deepen in color through regular use, creating unique aging patterns based on individual handling and application. The classical oiled vacchetta properties ensure the material continues to improve with time, developing the lustrous quality characteristic of well-aged vegetable-tanned leather.