History of Fur Fashion

Did you know that fur, as an haute cotoure  standard, dates back to the Middle Ages? And that fur in ancient civilizations served as a valuable means of barter? In our blog we would like to share exclusive and interesting information with you, that is, the history of fur fashion which reaches as far as the times of ancient civilizations. We will present you a small part of this history every week. Enjoy reading!

Part 1. Fur in ancient civilizations and in the Roman Empire.

Trading in fur already started thousands of years ago reaching the times of ancient civilizations and millenniums before Christ and has been developing ever since. Trade in fur was widespread among Phoenicians and in civilizations of the ancient Mediterranean. Being one of the sectors of the European economics, fur business enabled primitive hunters to survive, preserve their traditions, their lifestyle and cultural heritage. Fur was used in ancient civilizations as a means of barter. Key business goods which were most commonly used and most appropriate for sale, played the role of money. For example, for livestock breeders such a commodity was livestock, for hunters it was fur, for fishermen it was fish and the like. Fur primarily performed the function of keeping warmth in ancient times, i.e. it was an excellent protection from cold.

The role of fur developed throughout the history and it was in the times of the Roman Empire that it became the symbol of elegance and wealth. Ovid, the renowned Roman poet, mentions “pellibus tecta tempora” in his poems which translated from Latin meant “fur hats”. The genius Plauto, a popular comedic playwright, narrated about fur markets, fur traders (furriers) and depicted warriors’ tents with fur curtains in his comedies.

Major purchasers of fur in the Roman Empire were Roman senators’ wives. The most valuable and the most expensive fur was transported from Africa.

In another part we will you give you a short narrative about subtleties of fur fashion in the Middle Ages.

(Prepared according to Tesi in Storia Della Pellicia. Dagli Anni Quaranta Alle Nuove Tendenze. By Manolito Rapuano, 2006).