Natural springbok rugs are made from the skin of springboks. They are slender long-necked antelopes commonly found in South Africa. There are a vast variety of rugs but springbok hides are very unique for various reasons. The very first reason is that they are relatively scarcer, though not endangered, than other animals like cows, sheep, zebra, deer and bears used for the production of rugs.

Springboks are supposedly found only in the dryland areas of south and south-western Africa, from the north-western part of South Africa through the Kalahari Desert into the neighbouring countries Namibia and Botswana. In addition to scarcity, springboks have different variety of colours. The normal springbok is reddish brown in colour with a pale underside. There also exists the black springboks which have two shades of chocolate-brown and a white marking on the face. The white springboks are white with a very light brown coloured side. These varieties of colours constitute a plus as they result in variety of naturally coloured genuine hides.

Although the springbok hide is relatively smaller than other types of rugs as a result of the small size of the animal itself, this doesn\’t put a limitation on their striking features and the exotic glamour they can add to a home. These rugs come in two main types. There are the natural ones that are actually from the animal itself with the original colours, and faux rugs that are made by designing the pattern of a springbok using man made msaterials. Such designs are usually made as natural as possible, not with the intention of deceiving people that they are genuine, but to make them look more appealing. Some of the designs are done via printing while others are manually hand-crafted.

Natural springbok rugs vary in sizes, shapes and colours and can often be a single hide or multiple skins sewn into one. Some consist of pieces left-over from previous cuttings with their unique markings that when stitched together into panels make gorgeous patchwork rugs. The variations in sizes and shapes are strictly as a result of the purpose for which the finished springbok rug is intended to be used. Some people like maintaining the original animal shape while others go for square/rectangular, round/ Carousel or floral shapes.

Bigger springbok rugs are usually placed on the floor or hung on doors, walls and ceilings while the smaller ones can be placed on couches and tables. Round, carousel or floral shaped springbok rugs are best suited for central positions like the centre of a large table or a living room, or the centre of a circular array or couches. Most often, these are made from several springbok centre skins sewn together to form an even circle.

The colour of high quality springbok hides are usually maintained or slightly enhanced by polishing only. The colour of the resulting rug will therefore reflect the colour of the original springbok skin. Lower quality springbok rugs usually contain imperfections in the skin or colour which are usually compensated with extra artificial treatment and dyeing using various colours like turquoise, burgundy, chocolate, orange, brown, black, pink, olive and red.

Unlike most people believe, springbok rugs are not only good as complete units lying round or hanging somewhere. They also have extremely great value when trimmed into little pieces of more or less regular designs and integrated with various types of furniture. They produce great artistic views when sewn into couches and chairs, used as pillows, sewn as patterns on bed sheets or blankets, etc. However you choose to use them, just make sure they fit and blend in with other decorative figures in the home setup.

Colin Chadwick is the marketing manager of Hide Rugs a leading supplier of superior quality Animal Skin Rugs, including, Cowhide Rugs, Sheepskin Rugs, Springbok Rugs and Reindeer Hides. To view their Collection go to http://www.hiderugs.co.uk

Colin Chadwick is the marketing manager of Hide Rugs a leading supplier of superior quality Animal Skin Rugs, including, Cowhide Rugs, Sheepskin Rugs, Springbok Rugs and Reindeer Hides. To view their Collection go to http://www.hiderugs.co.uk

Author Bio: Colin Chadwick is the marketing manager of Hide Rugs a leading supplier of superior quality Animal Skin Rugs, including, Cowhide Rugs, Sheepskin Rugs, Springbok Rugs and Reindeer Hides. To view their Collection go to http://www.hiderugs.co.uk

Category: Home Management
Keywords: springbok rugs, springbok rug, hide rug, animal skin rugs