Maryam Port 1071 Horsebutt is a vegetable-tanned horsebutt leather produced by Conceria Maryam in Santa Croce sull'Arno, Tuscany, Italy. The leather is characterized by its distinctive grey-brown coloration that shifts between grey and brown tones depending on lighting conditions and natural variation within individual hides.
Port 1071 represents one of Maryam's numbered color offerings within their vachetta horsebutt collection, utilizing the tannery's traditional vegetable tanning methods combined with modern finishing techniques. The leather is sourced from horse hides that do not meet the size and quality requirements for shell cordovan production, making it part of Maryam's sustainable approach to utilizing the entire hide.
Conceria Maryam operates as a specialized vegetable tannery established in the heart of Tuscany's traditional tanning district. The facility employs approximately ten craftspeople who maintain centuries-old tanning knowledge while incorporating modern technologies. The tannery was founded as a totally vegetable operation, focusing exclusively on plant-based tanning methods.
The Port 1071 horsebutt undergoes Maryam's traditional vegetable tanning process, which utilizes natural tannins extracted from plants and trees, including powdered mimosa and quebracho. This slow process transforms raw horse hides into finished leather through careful treatment with natural materials, respecting environmental considerations throughout production.
The tanning process follows traditional Tuscan methods passed down through generations, with the tannery serving as heir to centuries-old experience and knowledge. The process emphasizes the slow passage of time, allowing natural tannins to thoroughly penetrate and transform the hide structure.
The horse hides used for Port 1071 production are primarily sourced from Poland, where they serve as byproducts of the food industry. These hides specifically come from horses that did not produce suitable material for shell cordovan due to size limitations or other quality factors, making the horsebutt leather production part of Maryam's comprehensive utilization strategy.
Port 1071 horsebutt exhibits the dense, fibrous structure characteristic of horse anatomical regions used in premium leather goods. The leather maintains full-grain integrity with exceptional density and a rich tactile feel. This density makes the material particularly suitable for applications requiring durability, including boots, shoes, wallets, and other small leather goods.
The leather demonstrates the typical firmness associated with horsebutt material while retaining slight suppleness that improves with use. The dense fiber structure contributes to the leather's longevity and resistance to wear, making it a preferred choice for high-stress applications.
The Port 1071 color designation reflects a sophisticated grey-brown hue that exhibits natural variation between individual hides. The leather is described as an ever-changing material that appears to shift between grey and brown appearances depending on viewing angle, lighting conditions, and time of day.
This color variation is enhanced by natural scarring and markings present in the horse hide, creating unique patterns and character marks that make each piece distinctive. The natural variation appeals to users seeking authentic, unprocessed leather character in their goods.
Maryam offers Port 1071 horsebutt in multiple finishing configurations to suit different applications and aesthetic preferences.
The vachetta finish represents Maryam's base vegetable tannage, characterized by barrel dyeing without particular finishing treatments. This finish produces a smooth, matte appearance with a soft hand feel. Vachetta-finished Port 1071 initially displays a lighter tone that darkens over time, developing increased luster through use and aging.
The TPR (treated, polished, and refined) finish involves treatment with a carefully formulated mixture of oil, wax, and resin. This finishing process imparts a rich luster from the initial use, creating an enhanced surface appearance while maintaining the leather's natural characteristics. The TPR finish provides immediate visual appeal while preserving the leather's ability to develop patina over time.
Port 1071 horsebutt serves as a premium material for high-end footwear production. The leather's dense structure and durability make it particularly suitable for work boots, dress boots, and casual footwear that requires long-term performance. Notable applications include service boots and specialized footwear where material integrity is essential.
The leather's color-shifting properties create footwear that appears different under various lighting conditions, adding visual interest to finished products. The natural variation between hides ensures that each pair of shoes or boots possesses unique character marks and color distribution.
Beyond footwear, Port 1071 horsebutt finds application in premium leather goods manufacturing. The material's density and durability make it suitable for wallets, belts, bags, and other accessories requiring long-term use. The leather's distinctive appearance and aging characteristics appeal to consumers seeking authentic, artisanal leather products.
Maryam designates specific distributors for different geographic markets. In North America, RM Leather Supply serves as the official distributor for Maryam products, providing access to Port 1071 horsebutt and other Maryam offerings. Additional distribution channels include specialized leather suppliers such as BuyLeatherOnline and relationships with premium manufacturers like Oak Street Bootmakers.
The leather industry recognizes Maryam's horsebutt leathers, including Port 1071, as among the finest available globally. This recognition stems from the tannery's commitment to traditional methods, quality raw materials, and consistent production standards. The combination of historical tanning knowledge with modern quality control creates products that meet the demanding requirements of premium footwear and leather goods manufacturers.
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