Goatskin Collection

Two Persian women rocking a goatskin to churn milk. Date: circa 1900s

Shipwrecked, Robinson Crusoe, dressed in goatskins
2604869 Shipwrecked, Robinson Crusoe, dressed in goatskins.; (add.info.: Shipwrecked, Robinson Crusoe, dressed in goatskins, explores his island)

Bihishtee or water carrier, with mushk of panee (goatskin water bag), wearing loincloth and turban
FLO4565394 Bihishtee or water carrier, with mushk of panee (goatskin water bag), wearing loincloth and turban. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by an unknown artist from " Asiatic

Draped vase with striped canopy lid, vase with gold figures of sirens over a fluted base
FLO4633390 Draped vase with striped canopy lid, vase with gold figures of sirens over a fluted base, and vase with botanical panel decorated with ram heads and goatskin

Roman Workmen Transporting an Antique Imperial Statue from the Colosseum through the... 1866-1867
Roman Workmen Transporting an Antique Imperial Statue from the Colosseum through the Arch of Titus to the Capitoline Museums, 1866-1867

Water Carrier, Jerusalem, Israel
Goatskin Water Carrier, Jerusalem, Israel Date: circa 1905

Pan and Hermaphrodite, c. 1st century AD (marble)
1078162 Pan and Hermaphrodite, c.1st century AD (marble) by Roman; height: 105 cm; Private Collection; Photo © Christies Images

Pan and Hermaphrodite, c. 1st century AD (marble)
1078163 Pan and Hermaphrodite, c.1st century AD (marble) by Roman; height: 105 cm; Private Collection; Photo © Christies Images

Pan and Hermaphrodite, c. 1st century AD (marble)
1078161 Pan and Hermaphrodite, c.1st century AD (marble) by Roman; height: 105 cm; Private Collection; Photo © Christies Images

Plate 16: a group of people outdoors, including a man pouring wine or water from a vessel on his back, from the series of customs and pastimes of the Spanish people, 1850

Costume of the inhabitants of Sennar, Sudan
Costume of the inhabitants of Sennar: man with robe over white skirt 1, girl in leather fringe skirt with clam shell showing her virginity 2, woman carrying water in bowls on a yoke 3

Sumach tan tub at a leather factory, south London
Sumach tan tub (part of the goatskin tanning process) at the Neckinger Mills leather factory, Bermondsey, south London. Date: 1842

Bedouin women making butter in a goatskin, Arabia. Date: 1922

Egypt: The ever welcome water seller (colour photo)
3106044 Egypt: The ever welcome water seller (colour photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Egypt: The ever welcome water seller)

Marble statuette of Dionysos, early 3rd century BC (marble)
3526118 Marble statuette of Dionysos, early 3rd century BC (marble) by Greek, (3rd century BC); 48.9 cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Frontispiece to The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe of
3258449 Frontispiece to The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe of York, Mariner by Daniel Defoe, 1719 (engraving) by English School

The Meeting of Jacob and Rachel, 1853 (oil on canvas) (see 141377)
XKH141378 The Meeting of Jacob and Rachel, 1853 (oil on canvas) (see 141377) by Dyce, William (1806-64); 58x58 cm; Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg, Germany; Scottish, out of copyright

Giotto and Cimabue, from "L Artiste", July 7, 1844
Giotto and Cimabue, from " L Artiste", July 7, 1844

Unhairing a goatskin at a leather factory, south London 1842
Workman unhairing a goatskin (removing the hairs with the edge of a knife) at the Neckinger Mills leather factory, Bermondsey, south London. Date: 1842

Drawing goatskins at a leather factory, south London
Two men drawing goatskins at the Neckinger Mills leather factory, Bermondsey, south London. The process involves repeatedly soaking the skins in a solution of lime and water over a number of weeks

A water seller, Cairo, Egypt, 1936. Artist: Donald McLeish
A water seller, Cairo, Egypt, 1936. From Peoples of the World in Pictures, edited by Harold Wheeler, published by Odhams Press Ltd (London, 1936)

The Goat, c1850. Artist: Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins
The Goat, c1850. The central image is of a goat and kid. Surrounding vignettes show (clockwise from top left): milking goats for milk and cheese; an Eastern goatherd

Bethlehem woman carrying water goatskin 1934
Bethlehem woman carrying water in a goatskin. 1934, West Bank, Bethlehem

Africa, Ethiopia, Southern Omo, Karo Tribe. Details of a Karo womans skin clothing

A Pokot child wrapped in a goatskin in his mothers arms. The Pokot are pastoralists speaking a Southern Nilotic language

Bihishtee or Indian water carrier.. handcolored copperplate engraving by an unknown artist from Asiatic Costumes, Ackermann, London, 1828

Mens Wear during WW1, August and February by J. H. Thorpe
The contrast in clothing worn by British soldiers in the trenches in August and in February. The soldier on the left wears the familiar khaki tunic, breeches and puttees

From khaki to goatskin
Due to the harsh winter conditions the British soldiers had to change from their khaki uniform to warm goatskin overcoats, woollen hats and new rubber boots. Date: 1915

Polish Bagpipes
An old man playing the bagpipes in the Tatra mountains of Poland. His costume is made of embroidered goatskin and his dog is a breed peculiar to the area. Date: 1930s

Maesta: Christ Appearing on the Road to Emmaus, 1308-11
XJL62416 Maesta: Christ Appearing on the Road to Emmaus, 1308-11 by Duccio di Buoninsegna, (c.1278-1318); Museo dell Opera del Duomo, Siena, Italy; Italian, out of copyright

Polish Folk Dance (engraving)
XJF618980 Polish Folk Dance (engraving) by German School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Print entitled Polnischer Tanz)

Frontispiece to The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe of York
XJF391510 Frontispiece to The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe of York, Mariner by Daniel Defoe, 1719 (engraving) by English School

Folding fan with sheet of goatskin, which with gouache the Colosseum, the Baths of Caracalla (l) and the Tomb of Cecilia Metella (r), on ivory frame, Camillo Buti, in or before 1787

The Meeting of Jacob and Rachel, 1853 (oil on canvas) (see 141378)
XKH141377 The Meeting of Jacob and Rachel, 1853 (oil on canvas) (see 141378) by Dyce, William (1806-64); 58x58 cm; Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg, Germany; Scottish, out of copyright

JERUSALEM: WATER CARRIER. A water carrier in Jerusalem with two goatskins on his back. Stereograph, late 19th or early 20th century

Borracheiros - Madeira, Portugal
Madeira, Portugal - wine pickers ( Borracheiros ) and handlers who transport the grape juice as soon after it has been pressed as possible in a goatskin; a sight now fast becoming a rare sight

RSR 2 / 6th Battalion, A bhistie (water carrier), Ferozepore 1917
Royal Sussex Regiment Collection West Sussex Record Office Ref No: RSR Uncat Acc 3284 Vol 1 2/6th Batt/135 1917 Postcard

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Unveiling the Versatility of Goatskin: From Milk Churning to Fashion Statements" Goatskin has long been an integral part of various cultures and traditions, showcasing its versatility in different aspects of life. In a captivating scene from Persia, two women skillfully rock a goatskin to churn milk, exemplifying the resourcefulness and ingenuity that this material offers. Traveling to Jerusalem, Israel, we encounter a water carrier gracefully balancing her load on her head - a traditional practice that often involves using goatskins as containers. The resilience and durability make it an ideal choice for such demanding tasks. Venturing further into Africa's vibrant landscapes, we find ourselves immersed in Ethiopia's Southern Omo region with the Karo Tribe. Here, intricate details adorn the clothing made from goat skin worn by Karo women. Their craftsmanship highlights not only their artistic prowess but also their deep connection with nature. Taking us back centuries ago is a marble sculpture depicting Pan and Hermaphrodite from the 1st century AD. This masterpiece showcases how even ancient artists recognized the beauty and texture offered by goatskin as they meticulously carved every detail into marble. Moving forward through time but still within the realm of artistry is Plate 16 - a vivid portrayal of people enjoying outdoor activities while one man pours wine or water from a vessel. It reminds us that throughout history, goatskins have played an essential role in facilitating communal gatherings and celebrations. Journeying southward to Sennar in Sudan reveals another facet of goatskin's significance - costume design. The inhabitants proudly don garments crafted from this versatile material, reflecting both cultural identity and practicality in harsh climates. In bustling cities like London, modern industries rely on traditional techniques such as sumach tan tubs at leather factories where skilled artisans transform raw goat hides into exquisite leather products. This process ensures that goatskins continue to be cherished for their quality worldwide.