A Wild New Chapter

Willow Tigers

We’re finally able to share more about a project that’s been quietly taking shape behind the scenes – a pair of life-sized, handwoven willow tigers, built by Jo and her team over the course of several intense, exhilarating months.

Commissioned for the entrance of a newly renovated private building at Thorpwood Estate, where two original taxidermy tigers once stood, these sculptures will soon guard the lobby of the new space, replacing their predecessors with a more natural, sustainable tribute.

Though we can’t yet share images of them in their final home (the building is still under construction), this post gives you the full story of how they came to life – from antler teeth and cherry wood bases to late-night welding and a garden full of big cats.

A Forgotten Quote and a Bold Challenge

Six months before the build began, Jo had sent off a quote for a possible commission. Then life carried on, as it does.

“I’d actually forgotten all about it,” Jo laughs. “So when the email came through asking me to make them, it was one of those massive ‘yikes’ moments – but also such a thrill. Tigers! What a challenge.”

Having never worked on a big cat before, Jo knew this would push her beyond familiar territory. “We don’t exactly have tigers wandering the Somerset, so I was out of my comfort zone,” she says. “But they’re magnificent creatures. Who wouldn’t want to try?”

Capturing the Wild

Jo began by studying the original taxidermy pair through old photos, but she didn’t stop there.

“I looked at a huge range of fighting and leaping tigers – I wanted to get that feeling of power, of movement, of attitude. Not just a pretty pose, but a sense of their raw aggression and poise mid-action.”

It was never going to be easy. Balancing grace and weight in a life-sized sculpture required layers of design thinking. "We had to simplify the frame – nothing simple about it! – using heavier bar and chicken wire to give it structure and strength. Getting the stance right so they didn’t topple forward was a real technical challenge.”

The tigers were then bolted onto heavy slabs of local cherry wood from Yandles – a tactile nod to the platforms used in the original taxidermy display.

Willow That Wove Like Butter

Jo used a blend of three stripped willows – buff, white Austrian, and buff noir, chosen not only for their striking natural colours, but because they soak and behave similarly.

“I fell in love with buff willow for the first time, actually. I’d always avoided it – it doesn’t blend well with others – but this time, I paid proper attention to the Musgrove soaking guide. It wove like butter, as Kez would say.”

Teeth, Tongues & Antler Tips

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Jo Sadler sculpture without attention to detail.

From custom-sourced eyes to realistic tongues, Jo used antler tips for the tigers’ teeth – “a brilliant success” she says, and a technique she plans to carry into her next werewolf build. “The antler + eyeball combo was just too good. I love their teeth!”

The Build: Trial, Error, and Teamwork

Over the course of a few months, Jo and her close-knit team brought the beasts to life. The process was full of experiments, mock-ups, and even a complete rebuild when the original frame grew too bulky.

“That was tough. Going back to the start, especially for my welder, was exhausting. But it gave us the turning point we needed – especially in getting the heads just right.”

Every stage – from metalwork and woodwork to weaving, sourcing details, and loading the finished sculptures – was a huge collaborative effort. “These tigers wouldn’t exist without the skills and care of our whole crew.”

Fierce Companions in the Garden

Before being transported to their new home, the tigers stood proudly in Jo’s garden, lit up at night, casting fierce silhouettes across the hedgerows.

“Our friends loved getting photos tucked under their legs – the height is quite alarming when you're standing beneath them! They’ve definitely been interactive pieces, even before their official unveiling.”

Jo admits: “I really miss them.”

Risin' up to the challenge

“I’d say to anyone inspired by these – start smaller!” Jo laughs. “But honestly, it was a real joy to study a wild animal like this. To feel as though I was capturing a moment of their energy and character – it was something else.”

The tigers will soon take their place in their new private home, and while not open to the public, we’ll be sharing more photos once they’re installed.

For now, we hope this story gives you a feel for the passion, pressure, and playful creativity that went into building these fierce and fabulous creatures.

Want to see more behind-the-scenes builds like this? Join Jo’s mailing list for studio updates, workshop announcements, and the occasional wild beast.