/ Register

  1. Welcome to Taxidermy.net, Guest!
    We have put together a brief tutorial to help you with the site, click here to access it.

Faux-taxidermy prehistoric big cat mount idea.

Discussion in 'Deer and Gameheads' started by kgosi, Jul 1, 2011.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Jul 1, 2011 #1
    kgosi

    kgosi New Member

    22
    0
    Had an idea for a sellable piece I want to make. A faux-taxidermy mount of either an American Cave Lion ( http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/PantheraLeoAtrox1.jpg ) or a Sabertooth Lion ( http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Smilodon_fatalis_Sergiodlarosa.jpg ).

    American Cave Lions are massive! Weighing 930 pounds, 4 foot at the shoulder and up to 8 foot long.

    Sabertooth Lions are 3 foot at the shoulder, up to 620 pounds, about the same size as a Siberian Tiger.

    Who thinks this would be a good idea? I'd have to sculpt the mount and I'd be using faux-fur with airbrushing. I would also have to sculpt teeth and make eyes since this thing will be huge (they don't sell anything in tiger size and no way there are anything in the cave lion's size). <- Most of that for my non-taxidermy friends.

    Also thinking I could make one, see what the interest is for it then possibly make more on commission or three just sitting around the shop waiting to be painted. (commissioned ones could include other things such as horns, spikes, really big teeth, different eyes maybe light-up ones, etc.)

    Also, this would be a shoulder mount with a quarter head turn either right or left (not sure yet).

    .
     
  3. Jul 1, 2011 #2
    leopardpaws

    leopardpaws meow

    2,032
    0
    milford, CT
    http://schreckensart.homestead.com/sabertoothwallhead1.html
     

  5. Jul 1, 2011 #3
    kgosi

    kgosi New Member

    22
    0
    How well do they sell for them?

    Also not to impressed by many of the faux mounts by this person, many of them look a bit cartoony to me.
     
  6. Jul 1, 2011 #4
    leopardpaws

    leopardpaws meow

    2,032
    0
    milford, CT
    the only way to make them look real would be to use real fur, like bobcat fur or a lion skin, or a collaboration of both.
     
  7. Jul 1, 2011 #5
    kgosi

    kgosi New Member

    22
    0
    It's the eyes and shape of the face that puts me off, I think the fur looks fine.
     
  8. Jul 1, 2011 #6
    Rhasputin

    Rhasputin The Expert

    3,633
    2
    Mechanicsville Virginia
    The faces of prehistoric cats are very differently shaped from the faces of modern cats. They are more 'cartoony' looking, blocky and heavy looking.

    I don't know anyone who makes better prehistoric cats that schrek ;)
     
  9. Jul 1, 2011 #7
    leopardpaws

    leopardpaws meow

    2,032
    0
    milford, CT
    Me neither, i love the tazzy tiger they did.
     
  10. Jul 1, 2011 #8
    Rhasputin

    Rhasputin The Expert

    3,633
    2
    Mechanicsville Virginia
    The Tasmanian tiger is incredible. Definitely their best work.
     
  11. Jul 1, 2011 #9
    kgosi

    kgosi New Member

    22
    0
    Alright, thank you for the link but that wasn't what I was asking about. If we could please stay on topic? I need opinions on myself doing this not on other's work.
     
  12. Jul 1, 2011 #10
    Wolfwoman

    Wolfwoman $90 for your fur made into trapper hat or mitts!

    12,740
    22
    Roundup. Montana
    I believe they were trying to tell you to ASK Shrecken, as they are the best there is that we've seen for these sorts of items.
     
  13. Jul 1, 2011 #11
    leopardpaws

    leopardpaws meow

    2,032
    0
    milford, CT
    i gave you the link so you can contact them for information on it. They are very helpful and nice person. I also suggested the real fur.. my opinon thats the only way to go if you want it to look real and not like a ridged stuffed animal.
     
  14. Jul 1, 2011 #12
    leopardpaws

    leopardpaws meow

    2,032
    0
    milford, CT
    haha we wrote at same time :p
     
  15. Jul 2, 2011 #13
    kgosi

    kgosi New Member

    22
    0
    I don't feel I insulted the artist but only gave my personal opinion, does that make an art critic insulting if they say what they feel is the truth? And also, thank you for suggesting Joey Orosco, the link given to me above, the artist has not contacted me back.
     
  16. Jul 2, 2011 #14
    Rhasputin

    Rhasputin The Expert

    3,633
    2
    Mechanicsville Virginia
    That ast pic is a great saber toothed cat replica!
     
  17. Jul 3, 2011 #15
    Samson

    Samson New Member

    417
    3
    Austria
    Hello!
    i have made a Sabertooth cat for me just as a fun - project. (the fur is from an old lion skin, the whiskers are hair from porcupine)
    all my Customers that see it ask me if it was real ::) (i think it is not perfect but i was at the age of 17 as i make it)
    and all of them will buy it, but it is not for sale ;D
    if you will make one, just go from scratch. i was in the Nature-HistoricalMuseum in Vienna and looked at the Sabertooth cat Skulls that they have there. then i made a form out of my pictures. they sell replica teeth in the Museum, that was very helpful ;D

    i wish you the best with your project.

    Karin
     

    Attached Files:

  18. Jul 3, 2011 #16
    Bill Yox

    Bill Yox Well-Known Member

    13,201
    84
    Madison, Georgia
    Ken Walkers reproduction is one Im most familiar with. I know the research he went through to do it too. Certain cats have the black behind the ears, howlers vs purring cats, etc. All that and more. I believe the sales were through higher end private collections and prearranged museum orders....very high dollar.
     
  19. Jul 3, 2011 #17
    kgosi

    kgosi New Member

    22
    0
    Thank you Samson, that's quite a nice Sabertooth mount there! And also thank you Bill, I planned on making these more available to the middle class man, selling a finished mount at about $600-$800 depending on details and offering payment plans.
     
  20. Jul 4, 2011 #18
    Bill Yox

    Bill Yox Well-Known Member

    13,201
    84
    Madison, Georgia
    You might want to rethink that price. Most of us do simple everyday bobcats for more than that price. Youll have a lot more work into one of those cats. Good luck with your project.
     
  21. Jul 4, 2011 #19
    Rhasputin

    Rhasputin The Expert

    3,633
    2
    Mechanicsville Virginia
    x2
     
  22. Jul 4, 2011 #20
    kgosi

    kgosi New Member

    22
    0
    Yes it will cost me more then that to make everything before I sell a few but I feel if I charge more then that then the average customer would be put off; I'm not looking at hunters who want to immortalize thier kill but a next door neighbor or business man looking to draw attention.
     
Page 1 of 2