This is in my taxidermist's showroom. Tusks are reproductions, and I think the ears are fiberglass. Cost to mount about $12K.

Wow! It is magnificent!

I would think the whole thing is "plastic."

Tempted, are you?

who is the taxidermist?

Very well done and the cost dosn't seem extreem.

I well remember the ele head mount in the Weatherby store front. Makes a big impression.

Brett

The taxidermist is Wes Good, of Wildlife Artistry, located in south-central PA.

Phone: (800) 809-8508
email: info@taxidermystudio.com

Will, think of the training possibilities, this and an airsoft rifle, we could practice our "angles" all night long. If I had the room - and had I not already shot my bull - sure would be neat.

Here's another pict. Okay, see the ear hole....

Nice work, but I think this falls into the conspicuous consumption category. I think I'd use the money to finance another trip instead.

analog_peninsula

Bill

Damned nice!

Thanks for posting.

WoW that is Awesome!!!

Gerhard

Only $12,000? I'll take two!

AT $12k, that is less than a cruise and less than a cheesy big diamond ring that my wife doesn't want - why not an ele in the house?

A lot less than a double rifle built in the 1920's by H&H and you can look at it everyday...

I always figured I would need about twelve feet of wall, about twelve feet high to feature an elephant head and shoulder mount.

But if I had the space . . .

Very nice work on that one.

Bill, and expensive target to get built...But very nice...

Mike

The best I've seen. Very realistic.

From the front it looks outstanding, but from the side it doesn't look so hot.

Jason

The ears look like the edge of a pie crust.

Bill,
Is the elephant head supported through the trunk or is it attached to a black wall mount?
This is a pretty impressive mount. Does the $12,000 include the pedestal? How high does the final product require for clearance? This could solve a lot of my problems.
Robert

Robert, The mount is free-standing and does not require a wall to support. The $12K is I think worst-case w/base, and actual price could be a bit lower depending on tanning, base, etc. It is expensive, but so is elephant hunting and it is all relative. I mean, the same things could be said about mounting a kudu depending on one's financial status. But not everybody's cup of tea for sure.

The ears on this one are fiberglass and Wes said they worked quite a bit on smoothing them out. They do not appear as "wrinkly" in person, but the results would likely be better if you can use the tanned ears (I think these were used to make wall-hanging maps of Africa). I know it comes apart as before Wes moved into his new studio it was in storage, and I would suspect it would be made to fit through a std door opening and reassembled once inside.

I'd say give Wes a call/email for details, I just thought it was neat and posted given the previous questions about bringing home ele skulls, and based on the number of serious ele hunters on AR. Regards, Bill

Wow! That`s a great mount! I would like to have one like that... And the space for him..

is it me or do the ear holes seem to high.....and the arches a bit to low other than that good mount.

http://www.wildlife-pictures-online.com/image-files/xeleclose.jpg

700N - Yea, the focus I think was on the front view, and the zygomatic arch/ear area needs a little attention. I'd have the eyes made a wee bit larger too. Just like this guy I took a pict of in Zambia:

quote:

the results would likely be better if you can use the tanned ears

Reproduction ears are common on elephant mounts. Some look better than others. I think this mount looks good.

Real ears are very difficult to work with as they will almost always drum/shrink/crack etc..

With the high costs of tanning elephant skin for a mount and shipping the heavy cape, a total reproduction can be a good choice. If they are detailed well, a very good reproduction elephant, rhino, or hippo can be had that will look good and last forever.

Now thats some good work!!!!!!!!


VERY NICE!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
AT $12k, that is less than a cruise and less than a cheesy big diamond ring that my wife doesn't want - why not an ele in the house?

A lot less than a double rifle built in the 1920's by H&H and you can look at it everyday...

If you cant take a cruise for less than 12K something is wrong.

Very nice.

To be clear: my earlier comment was not meant to be taken as a negative criticism of the work; far from it. Rather it's a description of my inability to pay for such work. If you have the pockets and you want your own private museum, go for it. It would certainly be visually impressive; at least I would be impressed.

analog_peninsula

quote:

Originally posted by Bill C:
I'd have the eyes made a wee bit larger too.

Bill

I thought that too. Still a very nice mount.