Honestly, until just a while ago I couldn’t tell you what Shagreen was or what it looked like.
Shagreen is a type of rawhide consisting of rough untanned skin with a granular surface. It was formerly made from the hide of a horse. Shagreen is now commonly made of the skins of sharks and rays. It has a naturally pebbly texture and greyish tone, and is often dyed to produce vivid colors and ground down to create a smooth surface with a complex pattern of tiny dots. Commonly used in China and Japan to cover the handles of weapons, it became extremely fashionable in the eighteenth century and has recently seen a revival in luxury goods. Today, since many species of rays are now endangered, most shagreen goods are made from leather or manmade materials.
I admire the beautiful texture it gives each and every piece it touches. I especially love the rough luxe look it creates when paired with the glimmer gold.
Source: delightbydesign.blogspot.com
(odin side table from dwell studio, lorraine tray from plantation, antique bowl from lille a shop and stool from mecox gardens)
Shagreen Table
Shagreen-backed Cube Chairs
Shagreen-and-parchment night stands
Source: dwellstudio.com
Source: grahamandgreen.co.uk
Ivory shagreen Betsy side table
Source: luisadesignblog.blogspot.com
Source: houzz.com
Source: okadirect.com
