Hi and thanks for any help you have. I have a bear rug that is anywhere from 20 to 50 years old... I really have no idea. It's been handed down to us from my husband's grandfather. I have three children, two very near the floor, and I hate to have them poke, pull, or prod it. Any suggestions on procedures for hanging it on the wall? It already has a fabric botton sewn to the bear itself.
Thanks so much!
Corrie
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On an older rug, such as this,the leather may be very friable and tear easy if you try to hang it on a wall. Putting your hangers or nails on the border trim only will prompt the border to pull away from the bear, from the weight of the bear. It's best to have hangers sewn through the leather of the bear, BUT you don't know the exact age which would be an indicator as to how friable the leather may be. Sewing through old leather may cause more damage.
My recommendation would be to take it in to a taxidermy studio or send it to a rug maker to have the leather evaluated. If indeed the leather is old and friable, the rug can be vulcanized, which would strengthen and reinforce the leather to make hanging an option, without damamging the hide. This would be a good time to refurbish the whole rug. Vulcanizing, a new border and new backing would make this old treasure last another 50 years.
Kindest regards,
Mary Hilliard-Krueger