Leather makes it possible to create memorable items. It is part of the imagination of many as a noble material that provides style to those who wear it. Very associated with protection, refinement and personality. Leather is striking and belongs to a prominent level among clothing and accessories. Courovale is proud to be one of the main representatives of the South of Brazil to offer to the market high standard leathers, used as raw material for outstanding pieces, in addition to being the only tannery in Brazil to have Diamond CSCB certification.
But where does this value on the material come from? Originating in prehistoric periods. Due to bad weather, in addition to the action of nature and predatory animals, humanity saw in leather a form of protection and warmth. Primitive man perceived in the material the necessary clothing to face adversity, besides being extremely useful for the elaboration of hunting and protection instruments.
It is estimated that the first leather artifacts date back to 1300 years BC, and continued to be present in the civilizations that preceded it, always innovating and improving. Human curiosity came to be instigated by techniques to soften and preserve the leather, originally stimulated by animal grease and smoke. Then, the first movements for tanning the material were born.
The technique, however, gained strength and was actually perfected by the Hebrews four thousand years ago, who saw the use of oak bark as an efficient way to keep the pieces hydrated and preserved. The Chinese and Greeks knew about leather even before they developed writing systems. The evolution of leather also had historical prominence for the Romans, Egyptians, and Norse people, who adopted leather as a warm garment.
The way of handling leather as we know it today, however, had its origins in the late nineteenth century. In the US, chemists observed that the action of chromic salts on the skin resulted in a different type of non-flexible leather, which until then was unknown. Chromium tanning ended up effectively replacing more time-consuming and rudimentary methods, with much better results. The current management process has gained new techniques and technologies that are less harmful to health and sustainable.
And so leather crossed history. In contemporary society, it gained rebellious status and freedom through Hollywood movie stars such as James Dean and Marlon Brando. It was also emblematic of World War I through the Bomber jackets, worn by American aviation pilots. A symbol of bravery!
Currently, leather finishing has become essential for modern culture, being present in articles of clothing, decoration, furniture and utensils. And in different shapes, colors and prints. Courovale is part of the present history of leather and is a representative figure in the production chain with many articles.
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