Marbled red and dark burgundy traditional six pocket bifold | Japanese shell cordovan and Italian veg-tan calf skin leather
This traditional bifold is built around a fairly bold combination: a vivid marbled red Japanese shell cordovan exterior paired with a deep burgundy Italian calfskin interior. The colours sit close enough together to feel cohesive, while the contrast in finish gives the wallet much more depth when you see it in person.
The exterior is Apollo shell cordovan from Shinki Hikaku in Himeji, Japan. Rather than a flat red, the colour has darker marbling and subtle variation across the surface, with the dense shell taking on a strong natural sheen as it catches the light. Shinki Hikaku has specialised in horse leather since 1951, and its cordovan is known for the dense structure, depth of colour, and distinctive lustre that make the material so sought after.
Inside, the wallet uses dark burgundy calfskin from Guidi Rosellini in Tuscany. The tannery dates back to 1896 and is particularly associated with expressive leathers that retain their natural character rather than being made perfectly uniform. Here, the darker burgundy interior keeps the wallet grounded while picking up the deeper tones in the red shell exterior.
The traditional layout includes six card slots, two hidden pockets behind the card panels, and a full-length cash compartment. It comfortably carries around 10–12 cards plus cash, with additional room developing as the leather settles in with use.
Every piece is cut, saddle-stitched, heat creased, bevelled, and burnished by hand. Bordeaux Xiange thread ties the two leather colours together without disappearing into either one, adding a subtle red accent around the darker interior.
Features:
- Traditional six-card-slot bifold design
- 2 hidden pockets for extra cards, receipts, or folded documents
- Full-length cash compartment
- Holds approximately 10–12 cards plus cash
- Japanese shell cordovan exterior
- Italian calfskin interior
- Saddle-stitched entirely by hand
- Heat-crested, bevelled, and hand-burnished edges
- Rich tonal variation that will continue to develop with use
Exterior: Apollo Marbled Red Shell Cordovan by Shinki Hikaku – Japan
Interior: Dark Burgundy Calfskin by Guidi Rosellini – Italy
Thread: Xiange in Bordeaux
Dimensions: Approximately 11.5 × 9 cm (4.5 × 3.5 in) folded