METTA CATHARINA shell
In 1786, while en route to the Mediterranean laden with Russian goods, including leather, the Metta Catharina ship encountered a tempest in Plymouth Sound. Despite the crew's safe landing, the ship and its precious cargo vanished. Fast forward almost two centuries, and underwater explorers stumbled upon a ship's bell resting on the ocean floor. They were able to locate the ship and its cargo, including 200-year-old leather.
Digging into this intriguing tale a few years ago, we embarked on a quest to uncover the secrets of the leather associated with the Metta Catharina. After delving into century-old books, we extracted ancient tanning methods and experimented extensively.
The result? A partial recreation of this lost treasure. Our Metta Catharina Shell isn't an exact replica but embodies key tanning elements: specific tannins, animal fats, natural oils, and crucially, natural wood tars (optional). This imparts a resilient, smoky aroma and robust protection against pests and bacteria.
Crafted differently from our standard products, this shell boasts a unique tanning process, materials, and finishing touches. It exudes an authentic "old-world" feel, thanks to its high oil and fat content, offering a soft, yet dense and supple texture.
In a groundbreaking collaboration, we partnered with Conceria Il Ponte, a tannery adorned with gold from LWG audits and a leader in the Consortium Pelle Conciata al Vegetale in Toscana.
Buyers of this article can receive certificates affirming exceptional tanning quality and the use of eco-friendly ingredients.
This leather is not only the first shell crafted using the lost recipes from the sunken ship but also the inaugural shell whose quality is certified by the Consortium's official certificates.
Which Payment Methods Are Available?
We accept credit cards and bank wire.
All credit cards transactions are processed using 256-bit SSL encryption. Your credit card information is never stored.
If you prefer to pay with T&T please place an order choosing Bank wire payment option and we will send you an invoice accordingly.
Which currency am I buying in?
All of the prices on our website are in Euros (EUR, €), you'll pay in Euros.
We give indicative prices on our product pages in different currencies, however the order total in your currency depends on the exchange rate at the time of placing the order.
Please note that all refunds are made in Euros (EUR, €) and are subject to exchange rates at the time of refund, not the time of purchase.
What If My Payment Fails?
it could be because of one of the following reasons:
• You need to authorise the payment with your bank before placing another order
• You need to check that your security code matches the number on the back of the card
• The billing address doesn't match the address registered to the debit or credit card
Please note that when placing an order on our website the billing address must be the registered address
Do the prices include VAT?
For orders within Europe we are obliged to charge your local rate VAT on products and shipping. This will be shown during checkout.
If you're ordering outside the EU then you'll see the prices without VAT. Starting from July 1st 2021 we must charge the VAT based on your country's rate and transfer this tax to your country budget.
If you're ordering as a VAT-registered business, please input your company VAT number during checkout and the tax will be waved (for valid European VAT numbers only).
For orders outside of the EU the VAT rate is 0.
How Can I Cancel My Order?
You can cancel your order anytime before it was dispatched.
If you have cancelled your order, then we refunded your order. It may take up to 10 days for your bank or card issuer to make your funds available to you again.
Note that when you cancel the order we do not refund the payment processor's commission ( Stripe) because they do not refund their commission to us, so you will receive the original payment without the processing commission.
How do I return my order?
If you want to return something, you have 14 days from the delivery date to request and despatch it back to us.
Please email to us your order number from the same email address you used to place the order. Original shipping costs are non-refundable and return shipping is on you. If your products are sent back later than 14 days you’ll only be eligible for a store credit.
Did not find what you are looking for? Please visit our FAQ page for more information.
Which Shipping Methods Are Available?
Domestic (European countries): Postal delivery / DHL Express
International: DHL Express
Orders ship from Slovakia, Europe.
Please note that we do not delivery to PO boxes or Service collection points.
THE UK
My dearest customers from the UK. The Brexit situation makes our business with your country complicated.
The prices for you do not include VAT (meaning that you do not pay VAT in Europe), however you will be requested to pay import VAT in the UK.
Please note that we can deliver to you if the order total will be more than 160€.
More about the changes here: https://www.gov.uk/import-goods-into-uk
How much does it cost?Please note that shipping costs will depend on the value and weight of your individual order and will be calculated at checkout.
DHL Express EU: 22€ for 2kg;
DHL Express Finland & Sweden: 25€ for 2kg;
DHL Express USA, Canada: 33€ for 2kg;
DHL Express World: 43€ for 2kg;
Do You Ship Internationally?
Postal OR DHL EXPRESS delivery is available to almost all countries worldwide.
If you're shipping outside the EU you may be required to pay import duties and tax before, on or after delivery.
Deliveries to the USA with a value over $800 may attract import duties and tax. Please visit cbp.gov for info on importing to the USA. If you're looking to purchase multiple items that are over this amount and don't like the idea of import duties, we recommend placing multiple orders.
Very important: we cannot declare lower value on customs form, it is illegal and affects our VAT exemption.
What Is the Average Delivery time?
I'll do my best to meet these dispatch estimates, but can't guarantee them.
Actual delivery time will depend on many factors including the seasons and your local carrier's work.
