Triceratops (Desktop model by Favorite Co. Ltd.)

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This year Favorite have released this resculpt of their ‘Desktop’ Triceratops, and from an anatomical perspective it’s a huge improvement. The ‘Desktop’ models are freestanding resin statues that also come with a wooden plinth to look all grown-up like. Since the plinth isn’t attached you are free to discard it and display them alongside your less worthy plastic toys, for consistency’s sake. Unfortunately, while this new sculpt is certainly very shiny and nice, the Desktop Triceratops appears to have shrunk in the wash.

Still, this is definitely one of the more impressive Triceratops models I’ve seen, admirably conveying the animal’s stocky, muscular frame. The old model – detailed as it was – looked a little skinny and weedy. No such problems here – posed walking forward, with one forelimb raised and muscles (and gut) bulging, this Triceratops looks every bit as formidable as one would expect an elephant-sized horned beast that had to deal with Tyrannosaurus to be.

In terms of fine detailing there are few better models available. The lengths of the nose horn and frill clearly identify this animal as Triceratops prorsus, possibly an immature individual. The body is covered with large, pebbly scales, corresponding with known skin impressions, while the hands are exceptionally accurate, with the palms facing strongly inwards and the four reduced fingers not contacting the ground. Favorite have made a small slip-up in this area – these smaller digits should not have claws or nails. It may seem like a churlish complaint, but the prices these models are sold for raise the stakes when it comes to nailing every tiny detail. Admittedly they have also included not only nostrils, ears and eyes that aren’t oversized but, yes, a cloacal opening. (I check these things so you don’t have to.)

The colour scheme isn’t exactly striking – given how inventive artists have been with ceratopsians’ heads in the past, particularly their frills (which were probably there for display/showing off), this seems a bit of a waste. The blend of greens is acceptable enough but, again, when people are paying £40+ (approx 60 USD) for these 20cm-long models they tend to expect a little more than ‘acceptable’. It also seems a bit of a swizz that, while the new sculpt is far more accurate than its predecessor, it’s also somewhat smaller – and yet they ain’t chargin’ no less. Why has the Desktop range suddenly shrunk to 1:40 scale (from 1:35)? I think we should be told.

All said, however, this is still a lovely – if somewhat overpriced – Triceratops. If you’re earning the kind of salary that has allowed you to stockpile Sideshow statues then I wouldn’t hesitate in picking it up (I must admit that, cough, I got it as a Christmas present). If you’re currently spending your spare days running around busy shopping centres carrying a net to collect the change that falls from people’s pockets then, well, you might want to think twice unless you’re a big ceratopsian fan.

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Second review and photos by Simon Foxx, edited by Dinotoyblog. [I accidentally posted this review a couple of years after Horridus’ original. Instead of deleting the duplicate article I decided to tag it onto the end if the original review. – Ed (Dinooyblog)]

This is the second version of Kinto’s “Desktop” dinosaur models Triceratops. It can be found on ebay, though at a large mark-up from its price in Japan, which is about 4300 Yen (around $53). Ebay auctions usually have it at about $100, plus shipping.

This desktop model is done in 1/40 scale, but it is a BIG 1/40 scale. The animal works out to be the size of the 2 largest known triceratopsid skulls, the Canadian Eotriceratops and BUY’s giant T. Horridus skull, both of which are nearly 9 feet (2.75 m) tall from beak to end of frill. The animal itself would be about 27 feet (8.2 m) in length, and likely exceeding 10 tons in weight. The figure is 8” (20cm) long, 3.5” (9 cm) tall, with a 3.5” (7.5 cm) long head. At 1/40 scale it is one big bruiser of an animal. A ‘one-in-a-thousand’ trophy bull.

This model features anatomically correct feet and toes, insanely detailed scales, and an iconic head. The horns are rendered very thick and large, as is the top of the beak.

Whether this stretches past the limits of accuracy (keeping in mind the individual differences within a normal range of features in any animal population) or not, it makes for an absolutely striking look – from any angle. (Sadly, there are no back quills, as this model was produced several years before the evidence for those was made public.)

This is the finest Triceratops resin reconstruction that I have personally seen anywhere, at any scale. For my personal taste, there is absolutely nothing I would change on it. It’s an A+ as a work of sculpting art, and an A in terms of accuracy.

For another take on this figure, see this older review by Marc too.