Leake

Oxford Street, London; leather furniture manufacturer (fl. c.1840-50)

This firm patented a process for creating imitations of carved wood in leather. The leather was first steamed to a gelatinous consistency then pressed into metal dies. The leather could also be gilded or painted. Queen Victoria ordered a cabinet from this firm and Prince Albert ordered panels after drawings by Albrecht Durer.

Source: Kirkham, ‘London Furniture Trade’, Furniture History (1988).