Everything Cowhide
Everything Cowhide

Cowhides have been made use of since time immemorial by man to fashion articles of clothing and other useful items. This natural, tough , waterprrof and hard wearing product – that is a by-product of the meat processing industry, is principally used to create natural leather goods such as clothing, chair coverings and even for highend luxury bookbinding. An increasing quantity of cowhides are being used to provide cowhides carpets as well as accessories as they increase in popularity around the world.

Cowhide heritage

Cows have been tamed and herded since pre-historic times and raised for their dairy, meat and other goods of the livestock for example skin and bone. In past times cowhide has been utilized for making clothing, blankets, tents, drinking water carriers, packing bags as well as drum covers. Cowhide had been even employed to protect baseballs before the 1974 American season, when it has been gradually replaced by horsehide.

Preparing hides for use

Cowhide is firstly rinsed to remove the various meats and body fats. Any hair is shaved away before it is dried out, if this is the preferred route. The skin is then stretched flat for drying. After drying, natural oils are applied into the skin during the tanning procedure. Natural oils are often made from other parts of the cow, such as the brain. If any hair is remaining upon the skin, the hair side does not have to be tanned with oils. Immediately after the natural oils have dried out in, the hide is stretched by hand or machine in the process known as tanning. Chromium tanning has been developed in the nineteenth century and is currently the most successful way to preserve the skin and ensure it’s long life.

Cowhide Colours

Cowhide leather comes mainly in hues of brown, brindle, brindle blends as well as black and white – matching the colours of the cattle that are raised on farms. Cowhide can easily be coloured to copy some other animal skins such as zebra , thereby safeguarding vulnerable animals and allowing the style industry to continue to use exotically-coloured skins as cattle are slaughtered naturally as part of the meat processing industry. In part 2 of Everything Cowhide we will complete this fascinating compendium dedicated to the fastest growing home decor choice on the planet.

And of course there is no better place to buy cowhide rugs and cowhide accesories than one of the UK’s leading importers and online retailers Cow Hide Rugs UK.

Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year from Cow Hide Rugs UK !