Shagreen is made from dried stingray skins. These skins are prepared carefully by hand and applied to the surface of the object or furniture in exactly the same manner used by the Parisien artisans of the 1920's.

The skins themselves are very strong and are principally made from natural enamel (the structure is similar to a tooth in the gum). It is unlikely that the skins will be damaged by placing objects directly onto the skins (such as trays, cups, vases etc). Our application method has been developed over ten years.

Like wood and other natural materials, if shagreen is exposed to harsh or sudden changes in humidity or temperature then there is a risk that movement may occur. Our skins are covered with a thin layer of lacquer, but if the shagreen skins encounter fluids of any sort and the fluid is allowed to penetrate the skin or is left on the skin then skins may delaminate. Shagreen is not plastic. It is important that any surface be well looked after and kept dry. We recommend that you simply wipe with a dry clean cloth if necessary and wipe away any fluids that spill immediately. Do not apply any foreign substance to the shagreen surface.