The pirarucu and its Amazonian history
In the rivers and lagoons of the Amazon lives the pirarucu (Arapaima gigas), one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. Its skin immediately catches the eye: the wide, overlapping scales form an irregular relief that changes with the light. Seen up close, it has a very different presence than the leathers we usually find in furniture.
The pirarucu has been part of the lives of riverside communities for generations. Fishing has been a source of food and sustenance, and its meat, the main product of this activity. Over time, the skin also began to be viewed in a different way, as something that could be transformed into a material with its own characteristics. Its texture and resistance sparked interest in various crafts, and later, in leather goods and design.
| Today, its circulation in international markets is governed by CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. This framework regulates trade flows of the species between countries. It does not by itself define the origin of each piece: to know the specific provenance of a product, one must look at the information and documentation of its supply chain. |  |
From skin to material
Turning a fish skin into a material suitable for creating objects requires specialized work. The challenge lies in treating it without erasing what makes it unique: the relief of the scales. The skin must retain its character while simultaneously acquiring the flexibility necessary to be cut, sewn, and shaped.
The result does not aim for a uniform surface. On the contrary, it stems from the natural variations of the skin: the pattern, the size of the scales, and the way light travels across their relief. The treatment and finish make it possible for this texture to be enjoyed up close as well, in a piece that can be touched and incorporated into everyday life. As with any natural leather, each specimen has its own nuances.
From the workshop to interior design
Pirarucu skin has made its way into contemporary design through objects and accessories where its texture can be appreciated without competing with the whole. Its presence does not need many adornments: the rhythm of the scales themselves is enough to attract the gaze and give character to a surface.
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That is why it works especially well in small-scale pieces. In a cushion, for example, the material can become an accent on a sofa or an armchair, alongside wood, linen, stone, or smooth leather. You do not need to cover large surfaces for it to be noticed. Sometimes, a well-chosen detail is enough to change the interpretation of a space. |
The JoverValls interpretation
At JoverValls, we have chosen to use this skin for a cushion with simple lines. The shape is kept deliberately restrained so that the texture has space to express itself. Depending on the tone, the relief can take on a warmer or more graphic presence; in all cases, the surface retains the variations inherent to a natural material.
We are interested in precisely that contrast: a familiar object, designed to accompany a sofa or a reading nook, made with a skin that is unusual in interior design. Each cushion offers a different reading of its scales and how they respond to light. It is not about hiding these differences, but about letting them be part of the piece.
| Discover JoverValls' pirarucu skin cushions and take a closer look at a texture born in the Amazon that now finds its own place in contemporary design. |  |