I have a very old tiger rug that belonged to my grandfather. The head on it is the most hideous job I have ever seen. It was so bad my grandmother banished it to the attic in the late 50's and it was never seen again until I inherited it. Is there any way I can send this to a good taxidermist to have the head redone? It is NOT for sale and I don't want to imply that. I simply want to get it fixed properly. The leather is good and not dry or brittle. Can I send this to any taxidermist that is good with big cats or only one that is in the same state as I .. or am I unable to have anyone work on this at all?
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A taxidermist can work on your tiger, But it cannot be shipped across state lines. Depending on the tanning process used on the hide, and it's current condition, it is possible that it can be redone and made to look really good. The owner of the shop I work at re did the head of a leopard rug that had been done in Tyland in the 30s he made that basket ball headed atrocity look like new money.
PS, the reason I know it was done in tyland in the 30s was the head was stuffed with news papers from the same.
No,
Don't try to remount the head. It is likely mounted on a paper form or some other type of material and the leather is so old that if a taxidermist tried to rehydrate it it would fall apart. A small section could be checked, but it may not be a risk worth taking. I am sure it could be refinished, painted, and cleaned ( possibly even a new jawset and tongue put in) but IMHO, a remount is absolutely out of the question. if you really dislike the way the head looks you could have a taxidermist cut skin at the neck and have just a flat and headless rug. Don't know about the legalities of taking it to a taxidermist though. I think I would be checking into that aspect with USF&W.
Since the cat is old, and pre convention you have no paperwork on it. You will have to provide your Taxidermist with an affidavit stating that. under no circumstance can the hide be shipped across state lines. As for remounting the hide. A competent Taxidermist can best assess the viability of such a job. if the hide was tanned using proper methods, it may be possible to dehydrate it. A swatch may be cut from an inconspicuous area and tested. I have seen very old hides that were tanned well, still in great condition, wile at the same time some done less than ten years ago fall apart. One Must really see the hide to make such a determination. In any event. Base your decision on the recommendations of a competent taxidermist. look for the best you can find. such endeavors should not be left to those with little experience, and knowledge
Thanks for the advice on this. The head is actually mounted on the original skull it seems. I was hoping that a form and artificial jaw set could be used and the skull retained, though it appears to have been filled in with plaster. The teeth are badly broken and look bad as well. The hide itself has no holes and seems pretty thin, though very supple and soft. I would have thought the skin would have been thicker. It is also a light bluish in color underneath. .... As for the afadavit or other papers, would I get something like that from the local Fish and Game or is it something that I draw up myself. I don't have any sort of papers with this.
......a light bluish tint to the hide is a indication that it is most likely a chrome tan hide, and though not the easiest to work on,in my own experiences, somewhat more durable than the alum or sulphuric tanned hides.
You may have noticed that most sheepskin car seat covers are blue tanned, the reason being that most people will tend to do the wrong thing and put them through the wash.
They may shrink, but seldom fall apart.
Having been faced with situations like this myself, l would advise rehydrating in methanol,it will allow the skin to absorb fluid, but not water which can result in breakdown of the hide due to acid burn. l have done this with a few rugs over the year with reasonable success.Use apoxie glues around the face.
Please dont let anyone cut the head off in spite of its apperence!
Know what you mean...being a real Tiger...I'm Possessed by nature...but really a pussycat when it comes down to it...LOL.
Good luck on the Tiger Rug. Whatever you do...DON'T have the head cut off. Being a 1,200 Year Old Highlander Immortal...I highly advise against it.
~ ETCC
For mistaking your name for Tenbear's. Was distracted...thought I heard a Swish of a Sword behind me...happens sometimes.
~ ETCC
NOW I KNOW I'm goin NUTS...it WAS TENBEAR I was talking too. Too early in the year to think straight...only excuse I kin think of...LOL.
~ ETCC
Many thanks for the advice. I pretended to not even see the suggestion that the head be cut off. This is a *tiger*! and can't be replaced. It's not buggy, it's not ripped .. it just looks like it got hit by a train and the poor tiger deserves better. If this is indeed a chrome tanned hide would it be adviseable to dampen it with methanol and try to work the skin off the head before sending it out? It would make it weigh a lot less for shipping. Could a good taxidermist also put back some whiskers? It seems all the whiskers are gone. Tigers need whiskers to sneak about in the dark.
... And I thought all tigers were posessed. Especially after meeting one eye to eye. Wolf eyes are very intelligent and expressive. Tiger eyes have a look of dementia about them. ... As for your fear of loss of imortality ... would an titanium neck collar be of use?