Leather: a brief history

One of man’s earliest and most useful discoveries stands to be leather. Centuries ago, leather was used primarily for protection from the elements. The discovery of leather was said to be done through observation. Wild animals were hunted by primitive men mainly for food, however, when the meat was consumed, they found that they were left with skin. 

Primitive men quickly came to realize that when the skin was left in the sun it began to dry out. Over thousands of years, this dried-out hide was tested through trial and error to make it stronger and more durable. Preparation and tanning of the leather were completed with the use of stone tools that were used to scrape the hides. 

Ancient practices by the Greeks saw leather being preserved with tanning formulas that contained certain tree barks and leaves soaked in water. The Romans on the other hand made extensive use of leather for military equipment, footwear, and clothing. History has seen leather being used as a vital piece of material for almost anything and everything. Recent years have brought about new materials, which have made way for a variety of creations. 

Leather is the one material that has managed to reflect the need for survival, levels of social class, and ultimately, levels of luxury. Leather slowly became a well-established trade. Innovation in the leather industry was brought about by modern technology. 

Throughout the history of furniture, leather has been used widely due to its durability and comfort. Leather has also become a material that is admired for its feel, tones, and colours. The natural rawness has been appreciated more and more over the years and today, people are constantly in search of valuable, genuine leather pieces. This is when Leather Gallery saw the need to conveniently supply people with premium leather pieces at affordable prices. 

The leather couches that the Leather Gallery brand focuses on are mainly full grain, top grain, corrected, and buffed leather. 

Top grain leather- the outer layer of the hide, known as the grain, which features finer, more densely packed fibers that result in strength and durability.

Full-grain leather- contains the entire leather grain, without any removal of the surface. It is considered to be one of the highest quality leathers. 

Leather couches are stunning additions to your interior spaces and they have a way of introducing class and opulence to your home. The aesthetics and feel of leather have been the focal points of our designer couches. The quality of the leather continues to be the top priority at Leather Gallery. 

The best thing about Leather Gallery’s leather is that you have endless options. The couches are designed and structured in such a way that they will last you for years and years to come. Every type of leather that you could think of is stocked in either a leather corner couch, a full leather suite, ottoman, or occasional chair.