Description

Originally produced as wall coverings, embossed and painted leather was principally made in  medieval Spain via the Moorish craftsmen, then in Italy and the Netherlands, though France and England also had a reasonable level of production. Confusingly, these local productions continued to be known and traded as ‘Spanish’ or ‘Cordoban leather’ and the geographic distinctions were lost until more recent research in the 20th century.

The great attraction of leather was the suface could pressed in wooden moulds then silvered or gilt lacquered and tooled to give definition and texture. Not only did the reflective surface work well with the dim candle lighting of the 17th and 18th centuries but it was also very durable, unaffected by insect damage and easy to clean which were problems with textile hangings. The issue with leather panels was the tendancy for drying out and shrinking after many years of exposure, causing splits and cracks. The panels on this screen have been stretched and mounted on canvas during the 19th century and are in very fine condition with almost no damage at all. A remarkable survival.

Italian leather was believed to have replaced the historic Spanish domination of the market during the 17th century. Production was thought to be centred on Florence and a large collection at the V and A museum, bought from legendary dealer Stefano Bardini in 1890, was invoiced as Florentine but there is no corroborative evidence of a centre of production. However, the many leather interiors in domestic and religious settings in Central Italy indicate that it was made in the area and not imported from Spain.