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Bound Together: Leather from Northern Nigeria

19 August 2025 – 8 February 2026

Free entry

Leather-bound book: William Wordsworth, Poems of Wordsworth, published by Hacon & Ricketts, bound by Sybil Pye, early 20th century. © The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge.

Explore the creative and technical art of Nigerian leatherwork in our fascinating new display and discover the hidden labour behind some of the world’s finest leatherwork. 

From designer bookbindings to eye-catching homeware, leather produced in Nigeria – prized for its premium quality and impeccable aesthetics – has been used to elevate everything from books, shoes and bags to one-of-a-kind personal items for centuries. Take a closer look at never-before-seen examples from across the University of Cambridge’s collections, from the 1800s to now, and uncover a story of empire, craft and labour. 

Today, Nigeria’s leather production has hit the spotlight in conversations about the uncredited labour and materials which continue to fuel designer fashion, but the story is a much older one. Bound Together lifts the lid on how, where, and who made these leathers and leather objects, exploring the rich but often unacknowledged history of leatherworking in northern Nigeria. 

This display is based on research for African Collections Futures, a research project developing new approaches to the African and Africa-related objects in the University. The work forms part of the Collections-Connections-Communities Strategic Research Initiative.

Display Details

19 August 2025 – 8 February 2026

Tuesday – Saturday: 10am – 5pm. Sundays and Bank Holidays: 12 – 5pm. Last entrance 4.40pm

This display is free to visit and there’s no need to book.

Step-free access is available to all floors. Large print guides are available. For more information, head to our Visit us page.

Gallery 14, Shiba Gallery Exhibitions

For group bookings of 10 people or more including UK school and university groups, commercial groups or tours, head to our Visit us page for more information.

  • Unrecorded Hausa maker in Northern Nigeria. Cushion case. Unrecorded date, probably early 1900s. Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge.
  • Unrecorded Hausa maker in Northern Nigeria. Empty Qur’an case. Unrecorded date, probably early 1900s. Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge.
  • Unrecorded maker in North or West Africa. Leather saddlebag. Unrecorded date, probably early 1900s. Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge.
  • Jeff Clements (1934–2021), William Langland, The vision of William concerning Piers the Plowman. Around 1380 (first written), 1930 (this edition), 1980 (binding). Lent by the Keatley Trust. © Estate of Jeff Clements. Photo © The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge.
  • Edgar Mansfield (1907-1996), Edith Sitwell, The Canticle of the Rose: selected poems. 1920-1947. 1949 (first published), 1958 (binding). Lent by the Keatley Trust. © Estate of Edgar Mansfield. Photo © The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge.
  • William Wordsworth, Poems of Wordsworth, published by Hacon & Ricketts, bound by Sybil Pye, early 20th century. Lent by the Keatley Trust. © Estate of Sybil Pye. Photo © The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge.
  • Unrecorded maker. Leather cushion, unrecorded date. Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge.
  • Zashadu bag, made in Lagos, Nigeria. Burgundy Bossy Classic Bag. 2020s. Photo © The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge.

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