Morocco Leather

Morocco leather was prized for its combination of softness, flexibility and durability. Traditionally made from goatskin and associated particularly with North Africa, it was finely tanned to produce a supple leather well suited to luxury bookbinding and fitted interiors. Later materials imitating its characteristic grain were also commonly described as ‘Morocco’. 

Depending on its preparation, the surface could be smooth or display a natural, pebble or straight-grain finish. Morocco leather was particularly suitable for gold tooling and other decorative treatments.

It was extensively used within dressing cases and jewellery boxes to cover trays, partitions, walls, letter wallets and mirror frames. Popular nineteenth-century colours included red, burgundy, dark blue, purple and green.