SHELL CORDOVAN

why it's called shell cordovan and why it is so precious?

 

In the 7th century in Cordova Spain also called Cordoba from the Arabic name قرطبة, the city witnessed the production of this unique leather from the horse skin, and here comes the unique part : the leather comes from a small specific part of the hide which is the rump (as shown in the illustration)

not like regular leather where you can use the whole skin, to get the cordovan leather it is needed the experience of high skilled artisans, where they carefully skive into the hide to reveal what is called the SHELL CORDOVAN, and this is where the name comes from because this particular part is protected in the middle of the hide.

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But why this specific part that is so hard to get?

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Shell Cordovan leather have the densest pore structure, you can not spot them with a naked eye, which makes it extremly durable and  naturally water resistant  and stretchy. Shell Cordovan is truly rare and unique material. It has bright luster, non-creasing grain character, great leather smell and ability to develop and keep these characteristics over time.
In addition, the shell Cordovan ages very well and develops over time a particularly beautiful patina.
The leather itself does not accept much dye, so it is found mainly in the dark tones of brown, black and the so-called “cordovan” color, which is a dark burgundy color. 

but Rocado is the only tannery that re-invented techniques and prensent a large variety of colors and styles that satisfy a lot of choices.