Our collection of waste bins are popular, as are the designs in leather embossed with the look of shagreen.

It is no wonder that we have added a new gray leather waste bin that meets both of these criteria.

Clients often ask us to tell them more about shagreen, or leather tanned from the skin of a stingray.

Ancient civilizations believed the stingray brought strength and power to anyone who handled it’s durable, patterned skin.

The backbone, resembling clusters of white pearls, was thought to be a protector of good luck and prosperity. Egyptian craftsmen prized the beauty and durability of the stingray skin by fashioning armor and other decorative items. These were discovered in the tombs of ancient pharaohs. Han and Shogun Samurai also used the raw skins for armor as well as handles on their Samurai swords.

In more contemporary times, 18th century French artisan Jean-Claude Galuchat fashioned the stingray skin for Louis XV into several commodities such as sheaths, wig cases and snuff boxes.

But it was English artisan, John Paul Cooper, who took the craft to new heights. From 1899 to 1933 his London studio produced nearly 1,000 artifacts veneered with stingray leather including vases, elaborate boxes, candlesticks and frames.

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