A Brief History of Leather
Below are the five broad stages leather craft has passed through, from Prehistoric Survival to the Modern Revival of handmade work. Each stage marks a shift in how leather was used, made, and valued, and together they explain why this ancient craft still matters today.
03
The Medieval Craftsman
During the Middle Ages, leatherworking became highly specialised. Tanners, curriers, cordwainers, and saddlers each focused on different stages or products. Guilds controlled quality and training, passing skills from master to apprentice.
Leather appeared everywhere: belts, pouches, book bindings, armour, horse tack, and footwear. A good leather item was expected to last years, often decades. Repair was normal. Replacement was not.
This period firmly established leathercraft as both trade and tradition.
04
Industrial Change and Decline
The Industrial Revolution changed leatherworking dramatically. Mechanised tanning and factory production made leather goods faster and cheaper to produce. While this improved availability, it also shifted focus away from individual craftsmanship.
Handmade leatherwork became less common, often reserved for luxury items or specialist trades. Many traditional techniques survived, but they were no longer the norm.
05
The Modern Revival
In recent years, leathercraft has seen a quiet revival. People are once again interested in handmade goods, natural materials, and items built to last. Leatherworkers today often combine traditional techniques with modern tools, choosing quality over speed.
Hand cutting, saddle stitching, edge burnishing, and vegetable tanning all connect modern makers to centuries of history. Each piece carries a little of that lineage forward.
01
Beginnings: survival before craft
Leather working is one of humanity’s oldest skills. Long before metal or pottery, early humans learned that animal hides could be cleaned, stretched, and treated to create clothing, shelter, and carrying tools. Without tanning, hides would rot quickly, so early methods used smoke, fats, plant extracts, and even brain tissue to preserve them.
These techniques weren’t refined, but they worked. Leather helped humans survive colder climates, travel further, and carry more. What started as necessity slowly became skill.
02
Leather in the Ancient World
By the time of ancient Egypt, leatherworking had become a recognised trade. Egyptians used leather for sandals, shields, harnesses, and ceremonial items. Surviving artefacts show dyed and decorated leather, suggesting it already held aesthetic value.
The Romans took leathercraft further. Their military relied heavily on leather for armour, belts, saddlery, and footwear. Roman shoemakers produced surprisingly sophisticated designs, some of which influenced European footwear for centuries.
Leather was practical, durable, and repairable. In many ways, it was the backbone of daily life.
Why It Still Matters
Leathercraft isn’t just about making things. It’s about patience, problem solving, and respect for materials. Every mark, stitch, and edge tells a story. In a world of mass production, handmade leather reminds us that skill and care still matter.
At MEARS Workshop, every piece is made with that history in mind.