Supporting British Industry & Craftsmanship
Devonia is Britain's oldest sheepskin tannery, producing sheepskins with traditional processing techniques for over 200 years.
Devonia is based in Buckfastleigh on the edge of Dartmoor and on the banks of the River Mardle. They have been sourcing local lambskins to produce high grade sheepskin products since it was established in 1806.
The tannery still uses traditional processing techniques, working locally sourced lambskins through a lengthy multi-stage process — including rows of oak tanning vats where fleeces are gently rolled by old wooden paddles — carried out by a small team of highly skilled craftspeople. The team create floor coverings as well as manufacturing garment and footwear shearlings, case linings, equestrian accessories, seat covers for the automative and aircraft industries and paint roller sheepskins.
This place had legendary status, it had long been on my list of places to visit and I had heard wonderful stories. It's always a thrill to witness somewhere that has hardly changed in the 200 years they have been operating. A part from a few new machines in the finishing room most of the techniques they use are the same ones they have always used to process the sheepskins. The smells were quite something, but as the workers reassured me - you quickly get used to it. One man proudly showed me some black sheepskins of the highest grade, which were going to used in the footwells of some extremely high-end British cars - pure luxury." Carmel King photographed Devonia in September 2018 for baby sheepskin brand Bini Bamba.
