This Takaan dolphin mold is 18" x 10" x 14". Takaan molds are unique, hand carved,sculptural wooden folk sculptures made as tools to produce papier-mache art objects. First positive wood molds (patterns) were coated with was release agents. Then starch-soaked paper totally covered each wood form. When dry, front and rear halves of paper shells - which mirrored the carvings - were cut off with razor sharp blades and rejoined. Seams were papered over and the papier-mache was decorated with paint and gilding. The process was repeated many times with each wood mold.
