There are days when our workshop turns into something of a construction site. And that’s exactly the stage we’re in right now with one of the most prestigious projects we’ve worked on in a long time: an elephant mount.
At the moment, we’ve completed a crucial step. The skin has been fully stretched over the form and is now drying under controlled conditions. The final shape and expression are starting to emerge. This is the phase when a massive raw structure slowly transforms into a real animal, and when it becomes clear whether the craftsmanship was precise and the result meets our standards.
We’re also excited about the details that keep pushing the project forward. The replica tusks are finished and ready for final installation. But that’s far from the end.
Now comes another major discipline: building and installing the ears. With an elephant, this is absolutely key, because the ears define the silhouette, the expression, and the overall sense of majesty. It’s a task that demands accuracy, patience, and a true feel for shape and detail.
And yes, sometimes that literally means Iveta “climbing” on the form. With an animal of this scale, there’s simply no other way. You have to be everywhere at once: measuring, shaping, pressing, checking, adjusting. It’s physical work that can look almost unbelievable, but this is exactly how top-level results are achieved.
We keep going, step by step.
And we’ll be happy to share more behind-the-scenes moments from Franc & Zugar Taxidermy with you.
