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SIT Stories - Episode 7 : Mannikins

10 Aug 2023

Every exceptional taxidermy mount starts with a great foundation – the form.

Once a clay sculpture has been crafted, our Mannikins Manager, Andreas, will make a specialised mould from which mannikins can be cast.

Firstly, the clay sculpture is separated into approximately 5 sections or panels – we use playing cards to create the separation.
Fibreglass and epoxy resin is used to make the mould.
Once the mould is complete, polyurethane resin is poured into the mould to cast a new mannikin. After the polyurethane has set, the panels of the mould are removed, and it is thoroughly inspected. Andreas will perfect this process before producing mannikins on scale.

At Splitting Image Taxidermy, we ensure that each mannikin is anatomically correct and altered to your specifications, to ensure that it is a true representation of your trophy.

Watch the video to see the details of how our moulds and mannikins are made.

"To Potential Clients of Splitting Image Taxidermy. Please allow this letter to serve as a recommendation of Splitting Image Taxidermy, which mounted the trophies from my three safaris. In each case, I was very pleased with the quality of the taxidermy work, the timelines in which the trophies were completed, and the reasonableness of the charges. I have found Douglas Cockcroft, Warrick and all of those associated with Splitting Image Taxidermy to be very responsive, honest, straightforward and a pleasure to deal with. The quality of the taxidermy performed by Splitting Image Taxidermy is superb, very detailed and very lifelike. Splitting Image Taxidermy is very familiar with the necessary permitting and shipping requirements involved in exporting trophies from South Africa to the United States, including exporting animals requiring CITIES permits. Please accept this as my absolute and unqualified recommendation of Splitting Image Taxidermy. Sincerely yours,"

Roger A. Key Mr.