Bear Rug History

Tanning and Taxidermy

• The tanning and taxidermy methods used to create a bearskin rug have existed for millennia. The practice of creating a quality bearskin rug was perfected in the 18th century when people mastered the art of tanning the hide and cleaning and stuffing the skull of the bear.

Teddy Roosevelt

• U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt was famous for his love of the outdoors and hunting, and one of the centerpieces in his personal study was a large bearskin rug.

Famous Photography

• One of the most famous photographs of a bearskin rug involves the famous Hollywood actress Jean Harlow. Taken in 1934, a young Harlow lounges in a white dress on a polar bear skin rug. In March 2010, it was announced that the original print and negatives of this iconic photo would be auctioned off, with the hammer expected to fall at $30,000.

Literature

• Bear rugs are mentioned in fiction works such as "Aunt Emma" (1886) by Elizabeth Spooner, "Uncle Max" (1894) by Rosa Carey and "Baxter Bear and Moses Moose" (1997) by Evariste Berrier.

Modern Sculpture

• In 2006, a bearskin rug was prominently featured in a sculpture by Daniel Edwards called "Monument to Pro-Life: The Birth of Sean Preston." The sculpture features Britney Spears, heavily pregnant and crouching on all fours on a bearskin rug.