What is vegetable-tanned leather?

 

At Terrace Workshop, all our products use only the most premium, 100% vegetable-tanned leather from Wickett & Craig in Curwensville, PA.  Wickett & Craig are true masters in the art of leather making.

Vegetable-tanned leather is a type of leather that is processed using tannins derived from natural plant sources. This process is an ancient method that dates back to the prehistoric times when animal hides were first used for clothing and shelter. It is considered to be one of the most traditional and environmentally friendly ways of tanning leather, as it uses natural ingredients and does not involve any harmful chemicals.

The process of vegetable tanning involves immersing the animal hides in a solution of tannins, which are extracted from the bark, leaves, and fruits of certain trees such as oak, chestnut, and mimosa. The hides are then left to soak in the solution until they absorb the tannins, which give the leather its unique characteristics. This process produces leather that is firm, durable, and has natural, character-rich color.

Vegetable-tanned leather ages beautifully and develops a patina that gets better over time and gives a personal, one-of-a-kind character unique to the wearer.  This leather is less prone to cracking than other leathers making it ideal for use in our high-quality leather goods.  It is also naturally biodegradable and recyclable.

All these unique and wonderful properties make vegetable-tanned leather our only choice.