In humans, the custom of protecting themselves from the cold and bad weather by wrapping their bodies in the skins and furs of their prey is lost in the mists of time. But at the same time, the habit of considering animal furs as an ornament and status symbol is almost as old as humans. Let's retrace the history of this item of clothing together, discovering when fur was born as we define it today.
When was fur born?
The first, embryonic, conception of fur as a symbol of power and an individual's position of superiority can be found in ancient Greece, where numerous deities and mythological heroes were depicted wearing this garment. The Persians were the first people to consider fur a luxury item, later expanding this custom, thanks to various wars and invasions, to other countries, where this custom took root among all strata of the population. In France, the custom of dressing in fine furs such as ermine, fox, and marten was introduced by the first kings, in particular by Charlemagne, and then spread to the notables, the clergy, and even the peasant class. But when did fur originate in Italy? It was in the 13th century, and in particular in Venice, that notables and magistrates began to use furs for the most solemn occasions, and the trade in this item of clothing took hold so preponderantly that it constituted a real revolution in the textile market: the furriers of the sector began to gather in corporations that assumed ever greater power in the most strategic decisions of the City. As a direct consequence, the diffusion of fur developed exponentially: the fur merchants of all the main cities (Venice, Paris, London, etc.) became real magnates, achieving the goal of making fur an essential ornament for everyone: men, women, furnishings and even children.
Fur in the modern era
After a setback in the second half of the 19th century, towards the beginning of the 20th century fur saw a real rebirth that from that moment on would be unstoppable. Currently the main fur markets are London, New York and Leipzig. In fact, the main fur auctions are held here, the main form of trade for this product. As for production, Russia is the most prolific country both in terms of quantity of furs produced and variety (even if it remains famous for its prized sable), followed by Canada, the United States, China and Australia. In Europe, however, the hegemony of fur production is shared between Poland, Austria, Norway, Hungary, France and even Italy with regard to marten, beech marten and lamb furs.