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The sheep
Sheep have been raised for over 11,000 years.
Globally, there are over 1000 breeds, and an additional 400 to 500 of 'national' variations.
Sheep are found in almost every climate, from the Greenlandic and Icelandic breeds which can survive sub-zero volcanic tundras, to the Awassi thriving in the Middle Eastern deserts.
The same breed may produce a completely different wool in varying climates depending on the environment, diet and centuries acclimating to the surroundings.
The history of sheep and humans
The transition from hunting wild sheep to raising them in flocks was a cornerstone of the Neolithic Revolution.
- 11,000–9,000 BCE: Domestication began in the Fertile Crescent (modern-day Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey). The primary ancestor is the Asiatic Mouflon, a wild sheep with a coarse, hairy coat rather than the fluffy wool we see today.
- 8,000–7,000 BCE: Sheep herding spread quickly. Archaeological evidence shows established flocks in places like Aşıklı Höyük (central Turkey) and moving into Europe and North Africa shortly after.
- 6,000 BCE: Humans began selectively breeding sheep for wool. Before this, sheep were primarily raised for meat, milk, and skins.
- 3,000 BCE: By the Bronze Age, sheep with white, woolly fleeces (like modern breeds) were widespread across Western Asia.
interesting bits
- Sheep have horizontal rectangular pupils; 320° Vision: giving them a panoramic view of about 320 to 340 degrees. They can essentially see behind themselves without turning their heads — a crucial adaptation for a prey animal.
- Sheepskins are great year round! Wool is a natural temperature stabilizer; cozy for winter, and breathes in the summer. Avoid a hot and sticky or cold leather sofa by using a sheepskin!
- Some of the most unusual sheep have more than 6 horns.
- Replace your blankets with sheepskins. Wool is naturally static free, neutralizing extra static 'energy' particles even in the coldest and driest of winter months.
- Iceland and Greenland. Iceland is actually a green landscape, and Greenland is icy with extreme cold temperatures and whipping wind.
- Natural lanolin oil is what keeps the "tog" (the long outer coat) waterproof and the "thel" (the soft inner down) warm and dry.
- You do not need a special brush, you can use a hairbrush to keep your sheepskins fluffy and beautiful.
- All sheepskins (as do most leathers and furs) have their own scent. It is delicate and often airs out quickly. For sheepskins; the more silky the more lanolin; which is the natural oil which keeps the wool soft, silky and protected from the elements.
How we measure
- Measurements are taken on the wool side, including wool length, longest diagonal and the widest point. (see illustration above)
- All of our sheepskins are measured on a standard (to large) sized dining/occasional chair comfortable for a 6ft person.
- Our products are traditionally photographed to capture all detail (not using Ai)
- Keep and eye out - some sellers photograph on small chairs to make their sheepskins look larger, and may use Ai to generate photos showing a beautiful setting, which also somewhat augments the natural look, often making the wool look smoother. (I have tried using Ai and found inconsistent results.)