I've always had an penchant for handles and railing that retain a residual mark of their users. Such subtle evidence of wear can often be observed in many a wood railing in a bit older residential buildings, on brass handles of (more historic) department stores, and leather covered handles...
The above leather handle belongs to the
Svenskt Tenn shop in Stockholm. I've also come across leather covered railings in a few more exclusive shop interiors.
There is something inherently tactile about using leather on handles, entities that inevitably entail direct 'skin against skin' engagement in their operation. The unique friction, temperature, and even subtle sound and smell of such leather covered artifacts entertain an almost intimate quality. The sensation is more deep-rooted or intrinsic compared to handling comparable objects made of, say, fiberglass or some of the more generic plastics. The connection is almost emotional, bonding, in its perceptual attributes. The way it weathers is comparable to how our skin ages and responds to wear and tear...
And as handles and railings go, leather functions very well as a surface material, providing a comforting level of grip to sate and complement even the most discerning door or stairwell...
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