The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-06-17
COSTLY FUR RUGS.
Lion Skins at from $500 to $1000-How
They Are Tanned and the Fur
Freshened.

A really first class lion skin is worth
from 61OO to G120, while lately many
have changed hands at as much as f200
apiece. Still one can sometimes obtain
a rug at as low a price as $50. It de-
ponds upon the species Of the lion, it it
is full grown and perfect specimen.
The most valuable lion rugs today are
those obtained from the Barbary species.
The names of the males when full
grown are quite dark, very full, run
ming well down the center of the back.
The head. too, is very massive, and the
paws or claws spread out to an enor-
nous width.
This season. according to the Queen,
a number of rugs have made their ap-
pearance with the fur of the puma
mounted on black goat. These are
minus the heads, and are priced by many
because it is really the fur of a species
of lion. But lion rug to be at ali
representative should possess head. 10
dress and mount it requires the services
of the tanner. furrier and taxidermist.
The processes which those furs pass
through before they are ready for the
drawing room are many and varied.
When first received by the furrier the
hide is picked, that is to say, placed IN
a kind of vat. containing certain chem
IcalS. WIere IL reuldlHS lOI IWO VI IhAS
DAYS. 1t is then removed and Scraped
with large knives, this work being done
by strong men.
Very curious is the process. 1t goes
into a tub. where it is beaten under toot
in sawdust. 1t has now to be dried,
when it is again beaten in saWdust ana
still further with canes. 1t this work is
done thoroughly well it means that the
fur will not come out, practically never
loses it's freshness Of color, and last for
really a long time. Indeed, it has to be
absolutely worn out by actual tread.
There is, of course, a great deal OF
work still to be DONE The skin has to
be cut to the form OF rug and all dam
aged parts such as bullet holes and
be made good. Large pieces sometimes
have to be inserted, and these additions
are obtained from clippings Of the &C
tual fur or skin.
1t is then stretched and lined, and if
it is desired to mount the rug with a
head the naturalist calls the taxidermist
to his aid, for it is absolutely essential
for the head to be lifelike and natural
looking. Most of the heads used now
adays are made Of papier mache with
occasionally the original teeth of the
animal. The heads of course are covered
with the animals own skin.
Among the handsomest fur rugs is
its large size and the fur being a glossy
white it is shown to best advantage in a
fairly large room with light furniture.
| Many people have even exchanged their
| furniture to harmonic with these rugs.
Next to the lion rug it is the most ex-
| pensive. Here again it is merely ques-
| ton of points.
| 1t is only a connoisseur in furs who
can tell the value of polar bear rug.
1t depends entirely upon the whiteness
of the fur.
A specimen with a pure silvery white
gloss is rare and may be worth as much
as f10O. Unfortunately most of these
furs contain a slight shade of brown,
which deterlorateS their market value.
| A fur of a full grown specimen ranges
| from ~ to 2 inches in depth. On ac-
count of the shortness of the animals
legs and the fact that it possesses prac-
tically no tail the skin makes a more
compact rug than is the case with the
big cats. There are a few polar bear
rugs in existence that measure as much
as II or Is feet in length, but rug 10
feet in length is considered a large size.
| The head on such a rug would measure
% inches from the tip of the nose to the
base of the skull and go quite 30 inches
around the full stretch Of the neck.
A cheaper rug and one that makes an
ornament to any room is that of the
the head or not it is a charming rug.
They vary in price from a few pounds
up to f25 and more, according to the
variety of the species. The finest
| leopard rugs on the market today are
those obtained from the skins received
from northern China, where the leopard
grows finer and a more glossy coat
than his brother in India.
Practically every animal now has re-
ceived the attention of the furrier and
has been converted into useful and orna-
mental rugs. The present season has
| been remarkable not only for the number
but for the variety of animals that have
been called into requisition.