Rug Hanger

I made this rug hanger to display the small rug you see here. The hanger is two pieces of maple with a rabbet in the back piece to hold the rug. I took inspiration from the design in the rug to use as elements in the hanger like the angled cut ends and the repeated pattern. There is also a strip of velcro (the “hook” side) glued into the rabbet to help hold the rug.
The finish is sprayed shellac with a polyurethane top coat. The first few coats of shellac were clear, then a layer tinted golden brown. The reddish brown “bowties” are also sprayed shellac. I masked the piece with tape, then used a template I made to cut out the shapes.
I had found some advice online that warned against using rug hangers that simply pinch the rug since these can leave a permanent crease. They advised the use of velcro which I did here, although the depth of the rabbet is designed to just slightly press the rug for added security.
The rug is a family heirloom that I inherited when my grandmother passed away. I don’t know if it’s a true Navajo rug, but I was told that my grandparents got it when they traveled through the Southwest in the 1930s. It has been stored away for many years, but I like it much better on my wall now and I think of my grandmother when I see it.