African taxidermy represents an intricate craft combining artistic skill with a deep connection to the natural world. This practice involves preserving and presenting animals in lifelike forms, creating stunning pieces that merge realism with aesthetic appeal. Each mount reflects a meticulous process involving scientific techniques and artistic expression. Skilled artisans carefully preserve anatomical details, ensuring accuracy and authenticity. The art of African taxidermy requires a harmonious blend of skill, precision, and an intimate understanding of wildlife anatomy.
Big lion taxidermy is an art that can help hunters preserve their trophy in an astonishingly life-like way. Whether it be to remember a once-in-a-lifetime hunt or an appreciation of the art itself, a big lion mount is sure to be the centerpiece in any collection. Remember, when choosing a taxidermist to mount your big lion trophy, a professional who combines traditional techniques with innovations will do truly exceptional mounts.
Just about everyone has seen examples of poor-quality taxidermy. It is usually the result of skimping and trying to save a few dollars. It is almost always regretted in the end. It is a mistake that will haunt you forever! Don’t take the chance! DO IT AND DO IT RIGHT!
When the restoration is required, every effort is made to repair cuts and abrasions, and to minimise bullet damage. When making an Lion mount, careful planning is key to getting a high-quality result. When tanning and oiling the skins, only the best chemicals and methods are used. Your preferred form for the Lion will be chosen after taking your measurements into account, and the posture of your form will be changed at no extra cost. When repair is needed, every effort is made to fix cuts and scrapes and lessen bullet damage.
The contemporary English word “taxidermy” is derived from the Greek terms taxis, meaning “movement,” and derma, meaning “skin,” thereby combining these two meanings. The remaining parts of the body are synthetic replacements for real organs and tissues.
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Let's delve into the detailed steps involved in creating a stunning African lion taxidermy mount.
The Taxidermy Process
Big lion taxidermy is a multi-skilled, time-consuming process that requires patience and an eye for detail.
1. Preparing the Hide
The first step in big lion taxidermy involves preparing the hide with great care. Thorough preparation is the key factor to ensuring a high-quality final product. All hides are tanned and oiled using the world’s very best available chemicals and processes to ensure permanence and longevity.
Firstly, the animal is skinned. If you are sending the trophies onwards and to your home country to be processed and mounted, they will still need to be either tanned or dipped and packed. Dipping and packing (also referred to raw prep or solution-treated) involves the skins being treated then dried, while the skulls are boiled.
2. Creating a Custom Form
Once the hide is prepared, we create a custom form that will be used as the base for the mount. Forms are selected to ensure the best fit and posture will be altered to suit you, the client’s preference without additional cost. Natural habitat bases are custom-made for full mount trophies without additional cost.
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The mounting is then completed, with the wet hide being placed onto the form or mannequin where it is shaped and stitched. Once this step is completed, then the drying process commences.
3. Mounting the Hide
With the form prepared, our skilled artisans mount the tanned hide onto the form. This process requires the utmost care and experience, as it must be as smooth and natural as possible. Only the finest materials and 40 years of professional experience are used in defining your trophies in a whole new way. The final trophies are almost Life-Formed.
4. Adding the Details
The last step in big lion taxidermy involves the details that make the mount look so life-like.
Artistic Visions Wildlife Taxidermy prides itself on the most ethical and responsible big lion taxidermy. In fact, you can be assured that your big lion taxidermy mount will not only be a great-looking trophy but also play an important role in the conservation of these great animals by having it mounted by a reputable taxidermist who values ethical sourcing.
These shipping agents will then deal with all the necessary documentation, administration and permits related to the export and import of the trophy. Upon arrival and after being ready to be released by the shipping agents, your African game hunting trophy will be dealt with in one of two ways.
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Secondly, it is collected by the local taxidermist.
Mounting Options
In big lion taxidermy, your pose can often make a great deal of difference in its overall presentation.
Here are some popular mounting options:
- Full Body Mount: A full mount is the best way to encapsulate your African hunting experience. This mount captures the species in its most natural and beautiful presence. A full mount of a big lion is a sight to behold. With this kind of mount, one can display a lion in all its glory-from its powerful legs to its stately mane. Using the full skin, the trophy is usually mounted to a plinth that can be placed on the floor or mounted to a wall. We also customize wall mounts to display your trophy on branches, rocks or even logs. Our African cat trophies demand nothing less than to be made into a full mount.
- Shoulder Mount: A shoulder mount of a big lion can be a good option if the display has to be more compact. The shoulder mount trophy is by far the most popular of the trophies, using the cape, skin and horns of your animal. When deciding on the angle of your trophy, it is always important to have a look at where you are thinking of hanging it. Includes the front shoulder forward in various positions. We can customize shoulder mounts into any position needed to fit your trophy room or home.
- Half Mount: A half mount is the front half of your trophy including the front legs. Half mounts are a great alternative when space is limited for a full mount.
- Wall Mount: If space is at a premium, wall mounts are great.
- Floor Pedestals: Floor pedestals are offered using your full mount, wall pedestal or shoulder mount trophies. They are secured to a handcrafted pedestal custom made to your specifications.
- Table Pedestals: A table pedestal of your African trophy is the perfect addition to your office or even vacation home.
- Wall Pedestals: A wall pedestal is the perfect addition to your trophy room. Our wall pedestals are slightly curved at the back and finished with your trophies skin. They are made using proportional manikins, sculpted in-house by our master taxidermists.
- European-Style Skull Mount: The European-style skull mount is timeless. For a European mount, the skull is cut and only the skull cap is secured to the plaque whereas a bleached skull is the entire skull and upper jaw of the trophy. The European-style skull mount is timeless. For a European mount, the skull is cut and only the skull cap is secured to the plaque whereas a bleached skull is the entire skull and upper jaw of the trophy.
We also customize wall mounts to display your trophy on branches, rocks or even logs.
Habitats have become a very important part of our business. An animal displayed in a natural setting is much more pleasing to view. Your imagination is the limit. We have extensive experience with habitats and we've learned from the best in the industry. Were capable of building mountains, boulders, trees. Photos of your hunting area can be a great help for this.
Taxidermy: Honoring Life Through Art & Science | Ethical Practices & Museum Preservation
Ethical Considerations
African taxidermy raises pivotal ethical questions regarding the sourcing of animal remains and conservation efforts. Ethical practices necessitate strict adherence to laws governing wildlife protection, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Ethical taxidermists prioritize collaboration with wildlife authorities and conservation groups to mitigate environmental impact. Proper documentation and permits validate sourcing and ensure legality. Additionally, promoting awareness about the ethical dimensions of this art encourages collectors to make informed choices.
Artistic Visions Wildlife Taxidermy prides itself on the most ethical and responsible big lion taxidermy. In fact, you can be assured that your big lion taxidermy mount will not only be a great-looking trophy but also play an important role in the conservation of these great animals by having it mounted by a reputable taxidermist who values ethical sourcing.
Displaying Your Lion Taxidermy Mount
Once your big lion taxidermy mount is finally ready, it is time to show it off.
Here are some tips for displaying your mount:
- Designate a room that focuses on your big lion taxidermy mount, along with other African game trophies.
- To make your big lion taxidermy mount even more impressive, consider adding custom habitat elements.
- Use your big lion taxidermy mount to teach others about these magnificent creatures.
Interior designers often turn to African taxidermy for its striking impact and timeless elegance. Among the most commonly featured species, antelope mounts like kudu and impala are favored for their sweeping horns and graceful proportions. Zebras are also highly sought, offering unique striped hides often used in rugs or framed displays. Designers may incorporate African buffalo taxidermy for its commanding presence and rugged allure. Giraffe skulls and mounts, with their distinctive neck structures, are bold statement pieces. Smaller species, such as warthogs, add personality to eclectic spaces. Integrating African taxidermy into a home’s interior requires thoughtful balance between authenticity and aesthetic harmony.
Start by selecting a mount that complements the desired room's size and style. Consider positioning taxidermy pieces on natural-textured backdrops, like wood-paneled walls or earthy tones. Display tables, mantels, or wall mounts provide versatile placement options. To keep the decor tasteful, avoid overcrowding displays. Pair taxidermy with soft lighting to emphasize textures and contours while maintaining warmth in the space.
Caring for Your Taxidermy Mount
Proper care is essential to maintain the beauty and quality of African taxidermy mounts over time.
To keep your mounts from fading over time, try not to hang them next to a sunny window where they will be in direct sunlight for a long time. A taxidermy trophy should be handled and cared for like any other expensive and fine piece of art. If you want your mounts to look their best, you should dust them often and gently. People often say that things like furniture polish work well to clean hair or fur, but you should avoid using them. You can also use compressed air or a vacuum with a soft brush for the scenery. Even the most prestigious museums and trophy rooms have had items damaged by insects. A fine repellent mist should be sprayed all over the mount, and then the product should be carefully combed into the hair.
Here are some additional tips:
- Dust regularly with a soft brush or cloth.
- Avoid direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
- Inspect regularly for pests and take appropriate action.
Over time your international trophy mount may lose a certain life like qualities, or be damaged. Depending on the level of repair needed, we may be able to bring your trophy back to its original state.
Why Choose African Taxidermy?
African taxidermy offers a unique opportunity to preserve memories and showcase the beauty of African wildlife. Taxidermy provides hunters with a great opportunity to invest in a trophy that will provide a lasting memory of their time hunting in Africa. While there are many options available in terms of taxidermy, it is up to each individual hunter to do their research and see which option - and taxidermist - best suits their needs.
African taxidermists have extensive experience in working with local species and are familiar with everything from the animal’s anatomy to posing the animal in a natural manner. Many African taxidermists offer fully inclusive packages, including skinning, tanning, mounting and packing. Not all African taxidermists deliver the same solid quantity service. Without proper research, a hunter may find himself disappointed with the process or the eventual trophy received.
Here's a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of using an African taxidermist versus a local one:
| Factor | African Taxidermist | Local Taxidermist |
|---|---|---|
| Experience with African Species | Extensive | May be limited |
| Familiarity with Local Anatomy | High | Varies |
| Inclusivity of Packages | Often fully inclusive | Varies |
| Potential Quality Variations | Can be inconsistent | Varies |
The Legacy of Gilmore the Flying Lion
Why is there a lion in the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum collection? In a Museum known for its aviation and space-related artifacts, there is a unique piece of flying history: a taxidermy male African Lion-more fondly known as Gilmore the Flying Lion. As a cub in the 1930s, Gilmore made aviation history when he traveled around the United States with the flamboyant and colorful aviator Roscoe Turner as a mascot for the Gilmore Oil Company. They flew over 25,000 miles together until the big cat outgrew his spot in the aircraft. Gilmore the Flying Lion is now on display in the new Nation of Speed gallery at the Museum in Washington, D.C.
In this final part in our series about the conservation of Gilmore the Flying Lion, we detail the major treatment steps taken to get him ready for display in the new Nation of Speed exhibition. In the previous blogs, we explored his construction, previous interventions, and current condition and summarized discussions about deciding our treatment approach.
Our process involved removing previous repairs, developing a methodology for adding new hair, addressing light damage, and adding whiskers and claws.
Gilmore in 2020, before treatment.
Removing Previous Repairs
Gilmore had large patches of adhesive mixed with hair fibers, particularly on his left side. It is possible they originally were better integrated, but by 2020 they stood out as stark and disfiguring, and it was decided they should be removed.
Our investigation identified two adhesives were used to make these patches: animal glue and poly (vinyl acetate) (PVA).There is an inherent challenge in separating similar materials, in this case removing animal glue (protein) from animal hide (protein). As materials age they change physically and chemically, which affects how conservators devise their treatment strategy. We used gels, which allowed for a controlled, slow release of the solvent needed to soften and swell the adhesive for removal. This technique increased the time the solvent needed to dissolve the adhesive, but prevented seeping and the potential ill effects on the underlying animal hide.
Removing the repairs on his back revealed two large patches of a thick, white-colored shaping material (likely plaster).
Adding New Fur
Two main methods for attaching hair are described in conservation literature.
Option one: Using an adhesive, directly onto the hide, or onto a thin supporting material which is then attached to the hide. This could be a spun-bond polyester material, Japanese tissue, or similar archival material. Option two: Felting wool roving into a thin supporting layer, then using this to anchor longer hairs. This could be held in place by friction or an adhesive. After some experimentation, we found that option one would work best to mimic the surrounding fur. We also needed to find a replacement fiber that was a similar color, length, and texture to the extant fur. A range of animal hides were purchased for comparison. Initially, we explored the use of coyote fur, which was a good color match, but found that the overall effect was too fine, compared to the coarse, light-damaged fur on Gilmore.
The process for adding new hair was time consuming as each area need to be carefully considered for matching length and texture.
Re-coloring Gilmore
The American Museum of Natural History in New York City conducted an extensive project to address light damage on specimens displayed in their dioramas. The methodology developed included working closely with a taxidermist who specializes in accurate re-coloring of historic specimens. Borrowing from this established process, we contacted the same specialist to achieve our final aesthetic goals for Gilmore. The taxidermist not only had to compensate for the light damage on the original fur, but also had to adjust the color of the cow hair used for the loss compensation.
Adding New Whiskers
Gilmore originally had whiskers when he was displayed in the Turner family home. Unfortunately, after going on display in the Museum’s Exhibition Flight gallery in 1976, visitors took them as souvenirs. The whiskers were replaced several times by National Museum of Natural History taxidermists until the gallery closed in 1981 but they were missing when he arrived in the lab. The American Museum of Natural History in New York developed a method of using African Porcupine hairs to replace feline whiskers, which is seen in their example on a cougar.
| Gilmore in 1964 with whiskers. | Gilmore in 2020, before treatment, without whiskers. |
Adding New Claws
Like Gilmore’s whiskers, many of his claws had been removed by visitors, leaving obvious holes in his paws. Claws have a distinctive, translucent look which is created when light passes through them, and we wanted to replicate that authentic appearance. The missing claws we re-created by purchasing several different sizes of plastic claws so they could be used as patterns for creating polyurethane molds. The molds were used cast multiple thin layers of tinted PVA resin incorporating strips of toned Japanese tissue. Once demolded, the claws were secured into the missing areas of Gilmores paws.
| Polyurethane mold. | Front paws with replacement claws. |
Gilmore is now installed with Roscoe Turner’s airplane, the Turner RT-14 Meteor and his flying outfit, as part of the new Nation of Speed gallery.
Incorporating authentic African taxidermy into interior design provides a distinctive way to connect art, culture, and nature. Each mount represents more than craftsmanship; it carries the essence of Africa's wildlife, evoking diversity and wonder. Whether it is the striking horns of an antelope or the lifelike detail of a feline predator, these pieces add depth and intrigue to any space. Authentic African taxidermy complements various styles, from rustic and vintage to modern sophistication.
