PERSIAN LAMB

The baby lamb which we term "Persian" is the real black sheep. Black as night when it is born, its close hair which first appears in moiré markings soon grows into tight curls - greatly admired they are. Sometimes the animal is wrapped into a sack with only the head and legs protruding, to keep the curls in place, just as a woman may protect her curls with a net.

Skins with glossy, tight, medium-sized curls have been taken within ten days of birth. When the lamb becomes older, his curls straighten out and he becomes gray-black, or mottled gray and black. This Fur is usually dyed, to secure uniformity of tone and luster. Persian lambs do not come from Persia as one might suppose. They obtained their name from the Persian traders who secured them in Bokhara or Afghanistan, which, as late as 1750, belonged to the Persian Kingdom. The Bokhara lambs are preferred. Southern Persian lambs are· called "Saltzfello" or "Shiraz." Similar skins are also called Mosul lambs. This species of Fur is not as tightly curled nor as lustrous as Bokhara lambs.

Persian lamb is a grand Fur for wear and as handsome a pelt as one can find. The main thing to remember is that Persian lamb collects dirt and dust - and grime is more injurious to it than to any other Fur, forming an acid and destroying luster. Hence one must be sure to shake the Fur often and well, and have it cleaned frequently by a Furrier.