Rocking Lion 1987

The making of a lion.. Since you asked.. Now you have all the info you need to make your own!!
There is a slide show of just the images at the bottom.. Enjoy!!

In 1986 I carved about a dozen  Rocking rabbits for a catalogue company here in the US

I felt to make something a bit more dramatic and decided I wanted to try making a Lion.

After a bit of research on Carousel animals I sketched an outline on some thin plywood. Gathered up some  Honduras Mahogany and made the two sides and center block that would make up the main body. The hallow chamber in the center is to allow the thick wood body to expand and contract with the seasons and not crack.

After the early stages of roughing out the body and preliminary shaping of the head it was time to get serious about the face. I prepared by making a clay sketch to see if I could capture some of the qualities I was after.

Starting at the nose and working my way back with the clay model watching. After the preliminary face was roughed in I carved in eye openings and chambers behind. I used very high quality "true lion eyes" from a taxidermy supply house that where bowl shaped. I was able to slide them in the eye openings flat ways and then with dental instruments hold them in proper place while epoxy set behind.. It was a challenge to get them looking together in the same direction forward.

Carving back to the already set eyes and roughing in the mane. Then adding texture with a mix of gouges

These show the makings of the hind legs.. attached with three 1" dowels.

Front legs coming on and blending into the whole form. Cats keeping an eye.

These show the tail joinery. Hand carved into the body and keyed with a 1" dowel.  I wanted the tail to be strong enough for an adult to stand on.

Carving all done and sanded.. Ready for finish.

Some detail pictures..

 Slideshow below of just the images.. Enjoy!!