Saturday, April 9, 2011

Not Quite Human

Mitchell Klein brings us this unearthly mummy found at a sideshow appreciation event.

Based on the picture alone I would guess this is a vintage-style paper mache gaff. The classic technique used layers of wet paper saturated with adhesive over a basic skeletal armature. In the old days carnies would use discarded newspapers and flour to create the mache mixture, but these days simple white or carpenters glue provide a better, mold-resistant alternative. As the paper dries, a process that can take a considerable amount of time, it produces a characteristic wrinkling effect that recreates the look of mummified skin and flesh.

6 comments:

  1. @ LoneIslander

    I think one of the reasons it's so effective is the wonderful paint job. I'm guessing it's a classic brown and yellow ochre sideshow combination with an overall black wash.

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  2. now, that is a seriously cool prop!

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  3. Definitely one of the best corpse props I've seen. Ever.

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  4. The work is fantastic and the skin is convincing. However the anatomy (Mainly the ears and eyes) could have been done better.

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  5. It compares quite nicely to the mummy of Ramses II, especially the side view of the mummy. Nice job and it even has that beef jerky look of real mummies.

    Try Nyarlathotep, he's teriyaki style! No, wait that's Zevulon the Great.

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