I am having a waterbuck done as a pedestal mount. My question is how have any of you decided on the shape and angle of the back of the mount? I have seen several approaches with concave curves, double concave curves, almost flat, etc. Which do you prefer and why?

Most all pedestal forms are made with a curved or concave back. This is more pleasing than just a straight back such as found on a shoulder wall mount. The curve helps eliminate an abrupt line that stops the eye. It gives the piece more of a fluid, artistic look that is generally preferred. of course if you have other ideas your taxidermist should be able to do whatever you want. When I make a pedestal out of a shoulder form I try to sculpt the back in such a way that I can use as much of the cape as possible. If the cape is cut really long I may make it go farther back than a normal pedestal form would. I also might sculpt in some of the front legs.

If a cape has a very large shot (exit) hole forward of the shoulder where the repair may show, the soft curve can sometimes be sculpted to eliminate this bad section of hide from the mount. Sometimes a cape is not cut long enough in certain areas and you have to get creative.

Think about where you will put the mount and if it can be viewed from all sides. If so, you may want to do something special by dressing up the back of the pedestal.

I guess to answer your question, I like a soft curve like those already found on most pedestal forms. Then take the condition and size of the cape into consideration.

Wink,

My husband Chris is a taxidermist also and he was the first in the industry in 1998 to completely hollow out the backside of a pedestal and mache rock into the voided area which then artisticly flowed with the connection of the rock base. Several of his customers have had their pedestals done in this fashion and are greatly pleased with how uniquely they display in their game rooms.

Using this technique with a mule deer and caribou, Chris, won National Champion Game Head in '98 and 3rd best Game Head in the World in '99.

Will try to post some pics the beginning of next week.

Kind Regards,
Mary Hilliard-Krueger
Mary's Wholesale Rugmaking
and
Krueger's Creations Taxidermy

By all means, post some pictures, as I would love to see what others have done in this area.

Mary's description sounds like a very unique and appealing mount. I look forward to seeing the pics. Before I retired from the trade, I used photo's of the Hunter with his trophy to cover the back of the pedestal mount. The cape was used to edge the back of the form which made a "frame."

Here are a couple of Africa "maps" on the back of a warthog pedestal and a Grants gazelle pedestal. The other photo is a "bushman rock painting" on the back of a greater kudu pedestal. The possibilities are limited only to your imagination.

Now those are too cool Grafton!!!