Sonnenleder bank bag "Rilke" natural

The “Rilke” is a flat briefcase made from purely vegetable-tanned cowhide in its natural, undyed color – a warm light brown with a slightly reddish undertone, characteristic of this tanning process. The leather is hand-processed in Germany: tanning with plant-based tannins from bark, roots and fruits, then air-dried and greased. The result is a firm, textured leather with a slightly rough, warm feel – and the ability to develop an individual patina over time.

Special Features

• Purely plant-based tanning without chromium salts or synthetic additives – the leather breathes, takes care well and becomes more supple with use rather than brittle.
• Undyed natural leather in light reddish-brown: the color is created solely by the tanning process, each piece shows a slightly individual tone.
• Hand-processing in Germany: seams, edges and closures are executed by hand – visible in the precise, solid stitching.
• 1 main compartment with zipper: closes securely and holds A4 documents, folders, pads and flat papers without risk of creasing.
• Slim format (37 × 26.5 cm): suitable for A4 – the bag remains flat and sits without bulging under the arm.

Application & Tips

• For documents, notebooks and writing folders in A4 format: the main compartment accommodates filled ring binders, clip folders or sketchbooks without unnecessarily puffing up the bag.
• Care with colorless leather grease or beeswax care preserves suppleness and promotes patina formation. Tip: Greasing for the first time shortly after receipt noticeably deepens the natural color tone and protects against moisture stains.
• Wear marks such as finger line patterns or slight darkening at contact points are not defects – they are an expression of the living natural leather and become part of the bag's character over time.
• The flat design is suitable for situations where a backpack would be too bulky: meetings, library, studio, train journey.

For Leather Enthusiasts

Plant-tanned leather – also called vegetable or red-tanned leather – is created in a lengthy process in which hides are slowly tanned in tanning liquors made from tree bark, oak galls and other tannin-containing plant materials. The result is a firm, low-stretch leather with pronounced fiber structure. Unlike chrome-tanned leather, it becomes more compact with increasing use and slightly molds to your own wearing style. Sonnenleder has worked exclusively with this process for generations and processes the leather at the production site in Germany – from tanning to the finished bag.

Technical Data