Tanning technology of Tan sheep skin

Tanning technology of Tan sheep skin

Applicant: Jiaocheng County, Shanxi Province

Project No.: 894

Project No.: VIII - 111

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: traditional art

Region: Shanxi Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Jiaocheng County, Shanxi Province

Protection unit: Jiaocheng yiquantai Leather Co., Ltd

Tanning process of Tan sheep skin

Applicant: Jiaocheng County, Shanxi Province

Jiaochengtan sheepskin is a kind of valuable fur which is processed and tanned in Jiaocheng County, Shanxi Province. It is named after the sheepskin from Shaanxi Gansu Ningxia and Gobi desert in Qinghai Province. Tan sheepskin tanning originated in the middle of Ming Dynasty. In 1937, when the Japanese invaders invaded North China, Tan sheepskin tanning stopped production because of destruction. It lasted for more than 400 years.

The tanning technology of jiaochengtan sheepskin is relatively complex, which completely depends on manual operation. There are 20 processes including washing, soaking, sun drying, shoveling, nailing, tanning, hanging, pressing, cutting and sewing. In the tanning process, yellow surimi (grains similar to millet), tannate, soap horn and other auxiliary materials are added. The finished products are exquisite and expensive.

Jiaocheng Tan sheep's leather is fine and soft, white as snow and glossy as jade. Its ears are naturally curved, and some of them are as many as nine. The men's and women's winter clothes made with it are gentle, warm, beautiful and generous, with good decorative effect. Tan wool fiber is slender and uniform, fluffy and elastic. It is also a high-grade raw material for making blankets, shawls, necks and sweaters. Jiaochengtan sheepskin is famous for its excellent quality and unique style in the world. In European and American countries, women's winter clothing is often made of it, which is elegant, fashionable and appropriate.

In the 1980s, Jiaocheng fur factory went bankrupt. At present, the youngest of the old craftsmen engaged in Tan sheep skin tanning in Jiaocheng County is nearly 70 years old. There is no successor to this craft and it is on the verge of being lost. It is urgent to rescue and protect it.