What is piteada?

Piteada is a type of decorative leatherwork that originated in Mexico. It involves the use of long, narrow strips of leather that are coiled and woven together to create intricate designs. The word “piteada” comes from the Spanish word “pita,” which means fiber.

Traditionally, piteada was used to decorate equestrian gear such as saddles, bridles, and reins. The designs often featured floral motifs and were accented with colorful thread or silver or gold accents.

Today, piteada is still a popular form of artisanal handicraft in Mexico, and can be found on a wide range of leather goods, from belts and hats to purses and shoes. While some piteada is still done by hand, many artisans use machines to speed up the process. However, even machine-made piteada is still highly labor-intensive, requiring considerable skill and attention to detail.