What are the main types of leather used for luxury furniture?
In luxury furniture, the most prized leathers are natural ones. Natural leather refers to a type of leather that has undergone few processes and has not been covered with excessive amounts of pigment, which would make it similar to plastic. The nubuck and aniline leather are examples of lightly treated leathers that maintain their natural characteristics. In the past, these leathers were less resistant, but thanks to technological evolution and light-resistant through-dyes, they are now suitable for daily use. By full-grain is meant a leather that has not undergone any sanding process; therefore, full-grain leathers are selected from the best hides, showing all the natural characteristics of the dermis.
What is the difference between mineral-tanned leather and vegetable-tanned leather?
Vegetable tanning is carried out with tannins and is the technique historically used in the most artisanal districts. Mineral tanning, on the other hand, is performed with chrome and requires specific purification plants.
The performance of chrome-tanned leather is generally better.
In Europe, both types of tanning are fully eco-sustainable, as they must comply with important restrictive regulations. Leather tanned in Europe, in addition to being fascinating, is also sustainable both for the environment and for the people who use it.
Why is Italian leather considered among the best in the world?
Italian leather is considered among the best in the world thanks to a millennial tradition in leather and hide processing . This tradition has always been respected and, over time, has seen significant progress in both technological and stylistic fields.
The Italian industrial and artisanal system, composed of small, medium, and large enterprises and a formidable network of subcontractors, allows for creating leathers with the best technological standards and a unique originality. The large tanneries of some States, which manage all processes internally, tend to flatten the product, which often varies only in colors, resulting in articles that are all the same.
