Cordovan leather has an origin in Spain and derives its name from the city of Cordoba. Shell cordovan leather is commonly used in high-end English shoemaking. It was first practiced in the seventh century. It is a difficult and expensive leather to make, and it is used for luxury shoes and watch straps due to its aesthetic qualities and exceptional durability. Shell cordovan has a unique non-creasing characteristic.

The leather from the "butt", after tanning, is passed through a splitting-machine which removes the grain, or hair side, revealing what is termed the "shell". The close fibers of the shell result in a smooth and pliable leather used almost exclusively in the manufacture of shoes and watch straps, although another use is for the manufacture of finger protection tabs for recreational archery where it is prized for its toughness, longevity, and protective qualities. Due to the difficulty in applying dyes, shell cordovan is available in a narrow range of colours