How we created our new Eland Form
22 Jul 2022
Every quality taxidermy mount starts with good foundation – the form. We are constantly evolving our craft to produce forms that are anatomically correct and true to the African species. In this video you will get a behind the scenes look at how we created one of the most lifelike Eland forms in the industry.
The Process:
- Projected measurements of the anatomy are used to create the Eland to its true proportions.
- A foam carving is made according to these measurements and projections.
- Wax-based clay is then carefully sculpted over the foam. In this process, all the details that will bring the mount to life are created. Once tested and smoothed off, a fiberglass mould is produced.
- The mould is made by dividing the sculpture into segments with playing cards. Epoxy resin is laminated in layers upon these segments to strengthen the mould. Once cured, the mould is cleaned and polished, and then bolted back together. Thereafter, liquid polyurethane foam is poured into to the mould to create a cast copy of the sculpture. This is called a mannikin or a taxidermy form.
- The form is then mounted by our skilled taxidermists to produce a beautiful mount, true to a living Eland.
