Leather clutch with chaguar - unique piece

Leather Clutch with Chaguar, a material with a rich history

This beautiful clutch was handmade by women of the indigenous Wichí community in northern Argentina. The Wichí women create their products using chaguar, an indigenous wild plant whose leaf fibers are spun into threads, naturally dyed, and hand-woven into artistic textiles. The Wichí women produce their goods within a women's cooperative. Their products are 100% sustainable, fair trade, high quality, and unique.

With your purchase, you contribute to the empowerment of indigenous women and the support of their culture and community.

Exterior: Chaguar fabric (plant-based yarn, processed without chemicals)

Technique: "ancient and traditional stitch" (traditional Wichí weaving technique, see description below)

Dyeing: natural dyes obtained from various roots, barks, leaves, resins, and indigenous fruits.

Strap: high-quality Argentine vegetable-tanned leather

Interior: textile lining, zipper closure, and leather inner pocket

Dimensions: approx. 26x19x28 cm (bottom length x height x top length)

Design: Each piece is an irreversible unique item and design by a Wichí weaver (colors may vary slightly from the photos)

The "ancient stitch" is called fwok'atsaj ch'otey in the Wichí language, which literally translates to armadillo ears. This involves crocheting/weaving with a single needle, and the unique nature of the weft forces the weaver to create a distinctive pattern called "armadillo ears" because the thread has a similar shape to the ears of this animal.

The Wichí live in the Gran Chaco region of northern Argentina. There, the artisans extract the fibers of chaguar (an indigenous plant that grows wild in the bush). They then spin, dye, and weave them by hand. The techniques of the various stitches and patterns are passed down from generation to generation, although each piece is a unique and special creation.