Is there a technique or system for a rug mount that facilitates very flat wall hanging.

I know the "rings" are commonly used, but I would like to rug a medium sized leopard and hang it on the wall over my desk as flat as possible.

Has anyone ever used foam core, very thin paneling, or any other product to give the mount a flat, rigid structure and to allow it to hang vertically with a single anchor?

Ideas?

Experiences?

We've done them with the same carpet backing and leather bound edge that we use on Zebras, Made the head flat also , it worked very well.

I have used thin plywood for backing on stretched snakes, but it is not advised on a large animal rug as transportation becomes costly since the rug cannot be rolled or folded for transport. I would stay away from any foam type product as foam can break down over years from the adhesive, humidity, etc.

Carpet backing with a rolled or scalloped leather border can be attached to the skin and hung to lay very flat. Unfortunately the nails or tacks will need to go through the animals leather and carpeting as it would be difficult to place hangers on carpeting. Hangers could, however, be attached to the mounted head which will be the heaviest part of the rug. There is a wooden base on the headform which will grab wood screws to secure hangers. With an animal this size you will need more than a single anchor to carry the burden of the weight.

While a leather bound border could be applied, I think a short black scalloped leather border may look best. I think a mounted head would look best and you cannot roll a leather border over paws and the bottom of a head form thus leaving areas where no leather would be visible leaving gaps in cosmetic symmetry. A nice short scalloped leather border would be visible all the way around the animal creating a more visibly attractive impact.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards,
Mary

Will,
I just used a staple gun on the felt. The staples are tucked up close to the hide and you can't see them. It's been hanging there for years.

I hung my zebra with 3/4" upholstery tacks through the felt backing along the edges.

I couldn't find any with black heads, so I bought antique brass ones, stuck them all in a piece of polystyrene and sprayed them with flat-black enamel.

Just be sure you have help; two other people holding the hide while you place the tacks are ideal. I put the tacks at 1' to 1.5' intervals.

If the wall is sheetrock like mine is, you can pretty much start the tacks with a thumb push. I then used a rubber-faced mallet so as not to mar the painted heads. -TONY

I recomment sewing needles (not pins). Needles are hardened and you can drive them thru the edge of the hide at a downward angle into the wall and they will hold the hide. When you want to remove it you can list it up and off and drive the needles flush and paint right over them.

Best regards
Mike Ohlmann
Mike's Custom Taxidermy Inc.
4102 Cane Run Rd.
Louisville KY 40216
502-448-1309 cell 502-645-4816
Mike@mikescustomtaxidermy.com

Could an Oryx be done like the the Zebra pictured in the above post by Tony?

reba,

Yes, it could. It could be done flat faced or with the head mounted. I have rugged horned and antlered animals both ways.

Mary

quote:

Yes, it could. It could be done flat faced or with the head mounted. I have rugged horned and antlered animals both ways.

quote:

Yes, it could. It could be done flat faced or with the head mounted. I have rugged horned and antlered animals both ways.

Careful where you put it if you mount the head. A gemsbok rug with a mounted head in a place like the zebra is hanging = shishkebab guest!

I have some walls that are 25 feet tall or better.