Another art lost

Published on 10 February 2023 at 06:00

The most beautiful sole leather, ever!

I recently came across a picture of a pair of shoes by a student of the Rene van den Berg Academy in Hoofddorp, in the Netherlands. Now the shoes are, well, different from what I had ever seen before using Rendenbach shoulder leather on the outside of the heel instead of on the inside. But the leather brought back memories nonetheless. 

Years ago, in my quest to find the perfect sole leather, I came across the Rendenbach firm, already in existence for some 130 years at the time. And time seemed to have stopped there. It was as if I had walked into the year 1875 witnessing the process of oak bark tanning. Pits that had been use for what looked like forever, the dim lights inside, hides in various stages of tanning. I left with three  bends, or maybe two bends and a shoulder, one 5.5 mm thick or so in a darker colour, one in a lighter colour and a thinner one that I still have here in my home, perfect for insoles. 

Looking for a great outing for my classmates, all nascient bagmakers, I thought to take them to Rendenbach in Trier. I looked for the address...

But I was too late.

After 150 years the firm had to close its doors in 2022, taking the art of oak bark tanning with them.

Our love of sneakers has pushed 'shoes for life' out of existence, and with that this perfect leather. At least there is still you tube.....

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xZHDYcshFyo

 

 

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