Santikinatan Leather bags have become a symbol of Indian heritage and excellent artistry. They are crafted completely by hand with love in the culturally rich town of West Bengal, Santiniketan. Amazing block prints, fine leather, and traditional craftsmanship are the key points that attract fashion lovers around the world. And as with every great thing that has immense popularity, has a cheap duplicate version, increasing the chances of being deceived.
So, before going to buy a Santiniketan leather bag, you should follow some simple tricks given by Chitrahar to customers helping to recognise the real one:
1. Inspect the Leather Quality
Authentic Santiniketan handbags are made from goat leather. They meticulously go through these steps: washing, drying, and softening, giving it the quality of long-lasting and lighter weight. You can feel smooth and flexible, not too stiff or plasticky, when you touch it.
Natural, slightly grainy texture with visual imperfections proves the originality of Sanitiniketan leather, confirming it is real and handmade.
2. Look at the Artwork
Santiniketan handbags have mainly earned their recognition for their unique artwork and detailed hand-block-printed designs. These designs are generally influenced by nature, tribal motifs and folk art.
Surprisingly, you cannot find exactly the same print in two different bags, each has unique patterns—this is the real charisma of handcrafting. So, if you feel like the designs have been machine-printed or look similar to others, you must be sure that they are not authentic.
3. Examine the Stitching and Finish
You may think that, as the Santiniketan bags are handmade, the stitching may not be that much strong. But, the neat and clean stitching on an original one will prove you wrong. Chitrahar Boutique’s artisans stitch the leather onto the cloth very carefully, giving it distinctiveness and fine finish.
Check each chamber, each stitching, inner lining and zippers to make sure they are durable, sturdy and flawless. Original bags are made using cotton or other natural materials.
4. Smell the Bag
You can distinguish the real one by its distinct and natural smell, which the duplicate one does not have. As it is not made of real leather, it will smell like plastic or chemicals. Chitrahar Boutique’s real leather-made handbags have that warm, earthy odour, making sure of their origination with with natural material.
5. Check for Artisan Tags or Branding
Genuine Santiniketan handbags often have artisan or boutique tags- especially if they are purchased from renowned seller or boutiques like Chitrahar. You can find the materials, process and their origin mentioned on these tags. So, always find a tag in bags, or ask about the source and make sure it’s a reliable seller when you are going to make purchase.
6. Price Tells a Story
A good product always comes with a good price. Santniketan leather handbags are not mass-produced or factory products. They are handcrafted with real materials and are affordably priced accordingly. If you see a leather bag being sold at a cheap rate compared to big brands, be careful of the prices. It might be a poor imitation that has been made of false materials or machine prints.
Final Thoughts
Having a Santiniketan leather bag means carrying a piece of Indian tradition. These bags, when created correctly, reflect artistry, mastery and heritage. No matter if you’re buying one for yourself or a loved one as a gift, check out these simple details and win a genuine piece of art.