Knowledge atlas
Nature
Goat leather parchment
Goat leather is a type of leather made from the skin of goats. It is very durable and versatile material that can be used for various purposes. Goat leather is often considered the most valuable of all types of leather produced from domestic animals. Goats are very modest in terms of feeding and keeping conditions and they are resistant to diseases. They are adapted to moving on steep and rugged terrain where they take advantage of the scarce vegetation and 'clean' the terrain.
- Name of Material in the local and Latin language
- Pergament od kozje kože
- Type of Material
- Organic
- Commonly Found Locations
- Goats are mountain animals, which in natural conditions live in Central and Western Asia, Europe and Northeast Africa.
- Colour
- Creamy white colour
- Hardness
- The goat leather is known for its impressive softness, suppleness, and strength. It is highly durable.
- Melting/Boiling Point
- Leather does not have a melting temperature.
- Solubility
- Alcohol can damage leather, but goat leather is naturally waterproof due to the secretion of lanolin and waxy oils.
- Structure
- It is soft, lightweight, and has a distinctive and authentic texture.
- Chemical Composition
- Water, protein, fatty materials and some mineral salts
- Industrial and Crafts Applications
- Rugs, carpet binding, gloves, boots, handbags
- Historical or Cultural Uses
- Kidskin or kid leather is a type of soft, thin leather that is traditionally used for gloves. The phrase 'kid gloves' is used since at least 1888 as a metaphor for careful handling. Kidskin is traditionally made from goatskin - more specifically, the skin of young goats. Also this skin was used to make early medieval parchment.
- Environmental Impact
- Processing leather itself has environmental impacts. Tanning leather generates a large amount of waste.
- Extraction Methods
- Tanning of raw skin (removing the hair and soaking in solution in order to remove fat), treating with chemicals
- Processing Techniques
- Dyeing, drying
- Sustainability and Environmental Considerations
- Leather products are biodegradable.
- Recycling and Waste Management
- Leather is highly and easily recyclable.
