sharkskin
A leather covered with minute scales bearing short
spines. It has been used frequently as an abrasive
material and was popular during the 18th century
for covering boxes of various types. For this
latter purpose it was usually vegetable tanned,
with the spiny scales being ground down leaving a
slightly roughened surface which, under
magnification, could be seen to be composed of
tiny, detached, lozenge-shaped scales which
sparkled. Sharkskin was usually stained black. See
also: SHAGREEN .
(291 , 351 , 363 )
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