Laika leather and kid gloves in history and modernity

Laika is a leather that occupies a special place among all types, although for the most part only gloves are made from it. What is the secret of her success? - In processing methods or in its natural origin?

Laika. What is it really - a dog or leather, dressed in a special way, or maybe leather from a dog's skin? What is the history of the word like itself? Yes, the dog is among the northern hunting breed, there is one. By the way, very respected, and not only among hunters, but also those who just love dogs.

But there is also a uniquely beautiful skin called "Laika" - a special leather. True, in the "Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language" by V. I. Dal, leather - husky is explained as "soft-made dog skin". Maybe the husky was obtained from a dog's skin, but ... the dressing of the skin itself, as it is, came from ancient times.

In history leather production completely different raw materials were used to make huskies - these are the skins of lambs and kids, moreover, very young, newborns. The type of leather with huskies in English is denoted by the word "kid", that is, "goat" - another confirmation of which skins the husky is obtained from.

And in Polish, the word? Ajka has the same meaning as in Russian, that is, skin is a laika. Perhaps dog skins were used in the production of huskies, but they were by no means the main raw material. Therefore, the dog Laika and the skin - "Laika" are in no way connected with each other.

What is the peculiarity of making a husky? The ancient technique consisted of treating the skin with a dough made from wheat flour, alum, salt and egg yolk, or fat with alum and flour.

Many researchers of the tanning industry suggest that linen tanning begins its history somewhere near the Mediterranean Sea, possibly from the Arabs, then it was borrowed by France, Germany and all of Western Europe. In Russia, the dressing of huskies, apparently, was not started earlier than under Peter I, and this production was established in the 19th century.

The best varieties of huskies were made from the skins of newborn kids, the average quality - from the skin of lambs, and the worst - from sheep skin. For husky, the choice of raw materials is very important, since the skin must be elastic, stretch well and return to its original shape. The front surface should retain a soft sheen.

Today, ancient huskies preserved in museums seem incredibly small, which means precisely the ability of the developed skin to stretch. When ladies and elegant men of that time put on, or rather pulled these small gloves on their hands, there was not a single wrinkle on the gloves. Gloves were sewn by hand, and it was only in the middle of the 19th century that a special machine was invented, which pressed the parts of the product so that the connection lines were not visible.

However, it took a lot of work to put on such gloves, and therefore it was done at home, and then they were not taken off in public. The Bakhrushin merchants' factory was considered the best husky producer in Russia. By the way, this year Russia lost a historical monument in Moscow - the house, which housed the Bakhrushins' tannery, was demolished ...

The Bakhrushins have left a memory of themselves for more than one generation, donating funds for the construction and maintenance of charitable institutions. Alexander and Vasily Bakhrushin in 1901 were awarded the rare title "Honorary Citizen of the City of Moscow". So not alone leather production Russia was famous, but also for the great names of the Russian people.

And again, back to the husky, or rather to the kid gloves, which always emphasize the sense of style and elegance, and moreover, they instill in us a sense of self-esteem.“Gloves are graceful, dazzling white, tightly covering the entire hand and each finger. And as if magic happened: suddenly I became ... witty, alive, grace appeared in dancing, courage and confidence in the invitation of ladies ... ". (Veresaev V., In his youth).

Many years have passed, and kid gloves have remained in vogue. Changed only styles, length, palette. Play gloves can be combined with other types of materials. Gloves are most often made from huskies. However, kid leather is also popular in jewelry, bijouterie made of genuine leather, for example, bracelets are woven with a husky, it is used in the manufacture of arts and crafts - panels, paintings, since, having the property of ductility, magnificent draperies are obtained from it.

Husky tanning can be chrome or chrome fat. Aluminum tanning, based on the tanning action of aluminum salts, is used to obtain a white, soft and viscous husky. The surface of the treated skin is unusually smooth, without a single wrinkle.

The type of husky skin has a low resistance to water. And the most important secret of husky processing is taken from those ancient recipes of leatherworking masters, when egg yolk and flour are added to soften during tanning.

Laika remains one of the most attractive types of skin and attracts fashionistas and fashionistas with its beauty and incredible softness and elasticity. And finally, it is just very pleasant to the touch.