skard catalogue 2

A generation of warmth

In the artic skirts of Iceland, there exists a substance like no other. Known

for centuries as the greatest natural insulator, a warranty for the new-born

and treasure for yesteryears royalty; Eiderdown, Iceland’s cradle of life.

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Purity, Wilderness & Ecological Harmony

Eider ducks &nature’s cycle

Late winter in the North Atlantic Ocean, close to the Arc-

tic Circle: great flocks of ducks, festive black and white

drakes and sensible, brown females are frolicking in the

white spray of the icy waves. This seemingly hostile

environment is their habitat. Their unusually rich plum-

age enables these large birds to survive their diving mis-

sion for capelin into the dark blue sea where the tem-

perature is frequently below fresh water freezing point.

Springtime on barren, rocky isles along the coastline of

Iceland: the eiderdown farmer and dogs patrol the eider

nesting ground, ridding it of fox and mink in preparation

of the Eiders return from the ocean for settling down in

their usual nests, frequented by the very same birds year

after year. In a matter of weeks the female has laid 4 to

5 big mint green eggs into a ring of dark, gunmetal grey,

incredibly soft down, which it shed from its belly into the

nest. Incubation starts as the female Eider plucks more

down from her breast to cover her eggs from the cold.

Eider ducks live in a colony of nests nearby human in-

habitants, who provide protection from predators and

egg thieves. Only once the nest is abandoned may the

eiderdown be gathered. Hence, the birds are in no way

disturbed, instead, protected by farmers who supply

food and ward off poachers. This relationship between

wild eider duck and farmer has existed for generations

and helps ensure the continued existence of a beauti-

ful rare bird and a valuable resource for the future.

Over 500 years of tradition

Skarð Eiderdown from the West Fjords of Iceland is the

oldest and largest eiderdown manufacturer in Iceland and

in the world. The very first documented exchange of ei-

derdown took place in 1455, when Ólöf the Rich and her

husband Björn of Iceland sailed to Denmark and present-

ed Christian I; King of Denmark with Skarð Eiderdown.

The tradition of hand picking and cleaning the eider-

down has been passed down from generation to genera-

tion for over 500 years. Today eiderdown manufacturer

Hilmar Kristinsson and his family operate independently

and preserve this traditional business in its purest form.

Hilmar is a direct descendent from Ólöf the Rich and be-

longs to the 28th generation of Eiderdown manufactur-

ers in Skarð. He has made massive strides in develop-

ing his skill in an eco-sensitive and eco-sustainable way.

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Each year roughly 3500 kg of eiderdown is produced

worldwide and of that over 3000 kg is from Iceland.

Around 1,2 kg of eider feathers is used in each ei-

derdown duvet, making the total global production of

Eiderdown duvets approximately 3000 duvets. No

naturally available material has as yet surpassed the

insulation quality and lightness of Eiderdown. Hence

it is no wonder that eiderdown duvets remain the

most luxurious duvets available in the world today.

Uniqueness

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The Icelandic Government Seal of Quality

Quality assured

Skarð Eiderdown from the West Fjords of Iceland is the

oldest and largest eiderdown manufacturer in Iceland and

in the world. The very first documented exchange of ei-

derdown took place in 1455, when Ólöf the Rich and her

husband Björn of Iceland sailed to Denmark and present-

ed Christian I; King of Denmark with Skarð Eiderdown.

The tradition of hand picking and cleaning the eider-

down has been passed down from generation to genera-

tion for over 500 years. Today eiderdown manufacturer

Hilmar Kristinsson and his family operate independently

and preserve this traditional business in its purest form.

Hilmar is a direct descendent from Ólöf the Rich and be-

longs to the 28th generation of Eiderdown manufactur-

ers in Skarð. He has made massive strides in develop-

ing his skill in an eco-sensitive and eco-sustainable way.

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Each Skarð Eiderdown Duvet has undergone an intricate

drying processing with special technology for cleaning.

Patient manual feather picking and manual washing are

the only means to prepare the world’s rarest filling for

luxury duvets. Sewn into the highest grade of long staple

Egyptian cotton, each compartment of your duvet is filled

with the exact quantity of down for even distribution.

Skard Eiderdown has remarkably insulation proper-

ties, being highly efficient and extremely lightweight.

Due to the painstaking selection process, it is also

very soft to the touch, without the scratchy quills that

are sometimes found in goose down. Genuine ei-

derdown is warmer in winter and colder in the sum-

mer, and more comfortable than anything else in the

world. This is because eiderdown breaths better than

any other duvet filling and less mass is needed per

square unit to gain the same thermal insulation as

any other natural filling material. Being incredibly light-

weight, it literally is like sleeping under a warm cloud.

Each Skarð Eiderdown duvet comes with a 15 years

guarantee. We’d be happy to refill your duvet on request.

Unmatched craftsmanship

15 years guarantee

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skard catalogue 2

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