Siberian fur trade to overhunting. Instead of one sable pelt, the following was accepted as its equivalent: one fox, glutton (relative of the marten), or otter pelt; two blue-fox pelts; sixteen polar-fox pelts; or one hundred squirrel pelts. The Russian government decided the amount of other pelts that were equivalent to the sable pelt. Within forty years, almost all Siberian natives were forced into paying fur tribute to the Russians. Russian traders, hunters, and explorers reached the Pacific coastline by 1650 and were collecting fur tribute from most natives along the coast. Beyond the yasuk, the Russians had two principal ways of obtaining
Conservation and restoration of fur objects belonged to Louis XIV and Louis XV. "Its skin was varnished and stretched over a frame of wooden hoops." The skin is now on display at the Museum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris, but is it unlikely it could be remounted. The care and cleaning of fur objects should always be undertaken by a trained collections manager or conservator. Provided there is no shedding issue, brushing is the first step in cleaning fur objects. Light brushing, using a paintbrush, will help dislodge any particulate soiling, surface dust, and insect frass. Stiffer natural brushes can be used if the dirt is