Leather is the tanned skin or hide of any animal and is often termed a ‘natural’ product. Leathers often bear the scars and imperfections which the animal accumulated during its life and this is what makes every hide unique and tells the story of the animals’ life. In their natural environment animals may get bitten by insects, parasites, ticks, and lice or become caught on barbed wire, rub against thorn bushes, or get in fights with other animals, all of which will result in scarring or marks on the hide. Natural markings such as these and also the animals natural skin pigmentation which will appear as darker or lighter patches are what give the leather its unique characteristic and are not defects or faults.

Natural markings on a hide however do not affect the strength and durability of the leather. When the hide or skin has passed through the tanning process and has been turned into leather these natural markings will still be visible on the surface. At this stage you can find some or all of the following natural markings visible on the surface (Top Grain) of the leather. In a nutshell aniline leather is quite simply as nature intended.