haha I was about to post the Wikipedia definition, but I can see that RobbieNEmmie liberally plagarized it already! heh.
Wikipedia:
Patent leather is
leather that has been given a high gloss finish. The original process was developed by
Newark, New Jersey based inventor
Seth Boyden in
1818 with commercial manufacture beginning
September 20,
1819. His process used a
linseed oil-based
lacquer coating. Modern patent leather usually has a plastic coating.
Patent leather is sometimes confused with
poromeric imitation leathers such as
DuPont's
Corfam and
Kuraray Co.'s
Clarino which are manmade materials with a similar glossy appearance.
Patent leather and poromerics are cleaned in a similar way. Dirt adhering to the coating can be removed with a damp cloth, using a mild
soap if needed. Minor scratches and scuff marks in the coating itself can be removed using one of several special purpose patent leather and poromeric cleaners on the market. Patent leather, with wear and tear will eventually lose its glossy finish, but will still be smoother than most other types of leather, looking almost rubbery.
Patent leather and poromerics are used in applications where an eye-catching glossy appearance is the main consideration. Examples include
fashion items such as
wallets and
handbags,
dance and
uniform shoes and
professional wrestling boots.