Taxidermy is the art of mounting or reproducing animals for display or study and in the past the word has been associated with large gloomy Victorian houses filled with stuffed animals.

However in recent years, taxidermy has emerged from the shadows as a collecting area in its own right and in the United Kingdom there are now dealers who deal only in taxidermy. In Victorian times, taxidermists performed a valuable service, bringing wildlife into homes and allowing the inhabitants to see real birds and mammals at close quarters. They could also create trophies to provide mementoes of a good day's fishing or hunting.

The value of taxidermy specimens is enhanced by the presence of an original label detailing when and where the specimen was obtained and by a trade label of the taxidermist, the most sought after being Rowland Ward of London.

In assessing a taxidermied specimen, the potential more...

10 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

A taxidermied bustard bird head, cream plumage with chocolate…

Chocolate-Tipped Bustard Head on Shield Board

A taxidermied bustard bird head, cream plumage with chocolate tips and peak crest to the top of head, on a shield shaped board.

An adult male great bustard standing and displaying with wing,…

Male Great Bustard Displaying in Glass Case

An adult male great bustard standing and displaying with wing, tail and moustache plumes spread, in an ebonised four glass case. Height 111 cm

A rare male lesser florican, standing on rockwork base, in an…

Rare Male Lesser Florican in Mahogany Glass Case

A rare male lesser florican, standing on rockwork base, in an architectural mahogany three glass case. Height 57 cm

A male great Indian bustard by Henry Shaw of Shrewsbury,…

Male Great Indian Bustard in Gilt-Lined Ebonised Case

A male great Indian bustard by Henry Shaw of Shrewsbury, standing on a rockwork base with foliage, in a gilt-lined ebonised case. Height 125 cm

A rare female lesser florican, standing on a sandy base, in an…

Rare Female Lesser Florican in Mahogany Glass Case

A rare female lesser florican, standing on a sandy base, in an architectural mahogany three glass case. Height 56 cm

A display of bustards and grouse, standing on rockwork amid…

Bustards and Grouse Display

A display of bustards and grouse, standing on rockwork amid grass tufts and comprising a female Namaqua sand grouse nesting below a female and juvenile white-quilled bustard, and a rare female lesser florican. Height 75 cm

Five large uncased birds, comprising a female great bustard on…

Five Large Uncased Birds Display

Five large uncased birds, comprising a female great bustard on log slice, a great Indian bustard, a lesser flamingo, a black-casqued hornbill on a perch and an Australian raven on a branch, largest. Height 84 cm

A historically interesting male great bustard standing on a…

Historic Male Great Bustard from E. Bouverie Collection

A historically interesting male great bustard standing on a grassy mound with tail feathers and moustache plumes erect, bearing a label inscribed, '.from the collection of the Rt. Hon. E. Bouverie. Lavington, Wilts.one of the last surviving bustards…

A family group of three great bustards comprising a male,…

Great Bustard Family in Mahogany Case

A family group of three great bustards comprising a male, female and chick standing on a grassy undulating base, in an architectural mahogany three glass case. Height 109 cm

Three bird displays comprising a great crested grebe and chick…

Bird Displays in Glass Cases

Three bird displays comprising a great crested grebe and chick beside reeds on a muddy base in four glass case, and an adult pilot bird in an oval-framed case, and a pair of little bustard, in glazed case