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...

155 items found:

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

You can reduce the number of items displayed by entering a keyword that must be included in the description of the item.

OR

You can restrict the number of items to those sold in recent years. Select which years:

Victorian taxidermy diorama C.1880, depicting barn owls, stoats…

Victorian Wildlife Diorama by James Hutchings

Victorian taxidermy diorama C.1880, depicting barn owls, stoats & a rabbit in a naturalistic scene, taxidermist: James Hutchings of Aberystwyth

A taxidermied woodpecker with green and red plumage in a wood…

Green and Red Woodpecker in Natural Setting Taxidermy Display

A taxidermied woodpecker with green and red plumage in a wood and glass case with a natural wood and moss setting. 10 x 19 x 40.5 cm

A large glass fronted display case containing a fancy…

1918 Taxidermy Bird Collection by W.J. Potter

A large glass fronted display case containing a fancy presentation of taxidermied American birds. Species include barn owl, woodpeckers, California quail, bluejay, crows, ducks and a variety of hummingbirds - approx. 70 individual birds, brass plaque…

Two brightly coloured taxidermy small parrots, under glass dome,…

Colorful Parrot Pair Under Glass Dome

Two brightly coloured taxidermy small parrots, under glass dome, both modelled perched on branches, one with wings outstretched. Height 28 cm

Rare 19th century diorama taxidermy of two skunks mounted in a…

Skunk Diorama Wall Mount

Rare 19th century diorama taxidermy of two skunks mounted in a naturalistic wall hanging surround

A crocodile mounted in a display case crocodile 162 cm long,…

Crocodile Display Case - 162 cm Long

A crocodile mounted in a display case crocodile 162 cm long, case 186 cm long, 63 cm wide

A turn-of-the-century diorama, featuring pheasants in a natural…

Pheasant Family Diorama

A turn-of-the-century diorama, featuring pheasants in a natural setting of bark, tree branches, bracken, moss, etc., two males, a female and a chick, in glass and wood case. 80 x 28 x 80 cm

Taxidermy birds under glass dome

Avian Taxidermy in Glass Dome

Taxidermy birds under glass dome

A Victorian taxidermy bird group under a glass dome, 19th…

Victorian Bird Group in Glass Dome

A Victorian taxidermy bird group under a glass dome, 19th century, with ten species realistically posed amongst branching foliage within an oval cushion shaped dome and upon an oval timber base. Height 68 cm. Width 54 cm. Depth 22 cm

Four taxidermied Amazonian parrots perched in diorama

Amazonian Parrot Diorama with Taxidermy Perches

Four taxidermied Amazonian parrots perched in diorama

Cased long-tailed cuckoo - Koekoea, early example perched on…

Cased Long-Tailed Cuckoo in Custom Glass Display

Cased long-tailed cuckoo - Koekoea, early example perched on wooden mount in a custom glass case. Height 42 cm. Width 38 cm. Diameter 31 cm

Cased kiwi, set in foliage with original case. Height 51 cm.…

Framed Kiwi in Foliage with Case

Cased kiwi, set in foliage with original case. Height 51 cm. Width 39 cm. Diameter 32 cm

Antique cased mast ship diorama, 52 cm high, 62 cm wide

Antique Mast Ship Diorama - 52x62cm

Antique cased mast ship diorama, 52 cm high, 62 cm wide

A taxidermy case of three red squirrels, European, 19th century,…

European Red Squirrels Taxidermy Case, 19th Century

A taxidermy case of three red squirrels, European, 19th century, case 63 cm high, 55 cm wide and 15 cm deep. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

A detailed bird diorama, under a glass dome labelled 'Preserved…

Preserved Bird Diorama by J. Cooper

A detailed bird diorama, under a glass dome labelled 'Preserved by / J. Cooper / 28 Radnor Street / St Lukes' early 20th century the specimens presented in a naturalistic surround, 65 cm high. Provenance: Estate of the late Ian David Cooper, Victoria.

A collection of mineral specimens, together with a glass dome…

Mineral Collection with Glass Dome

A collection of mineral specimens, together with a glass dome the largest specimen 15 cm high; the largest dome and ebonised base 24 cm high. Provenance: Estate of the late Ian David Cooper, Victoria.

A box framed seaweed diorama and an album of seaweed specimens…

Seaweed Diorama and Specimens from Ian Cooper's Estate

A box framed seaweed diorama and an album of seaweed specimens the diorama 29.5 x 30 x 6 cm. Provenance: Estate of the late Ian David Cooper, Victoria.

Victorian taxidermy of a Falco Tinnunculus in a timber and…

Victorian Falcon Taxidermy in Glass Case

Victorian taxidermy of a Falco Tinnunculus in a timber and glass wall mounted case. Dimensions of case 39 x 27 x 17 cm

A cased taxidermy bull finch bird, mounted in a white box frame

Cased Bull Finch in White Box Frame

A cased taxidermy bull finch bird, mounted in a white box frame

A pair of cased taxidermy kiwi birds, one with head held high,…

Cased Kiwi Pair in Mahogany Frame

A pair of cased taxidermy kiwi birds, one with head held high, the other held down, mid-brown plumage, displayed together in a later mahogany framed and glazed case with opening door to the back. Some feather loss to back of one and paint adhered to back…

A cased diorama of humming birds and butterflies. From the…

Mosquito Coast Hummingbird and Butterfly Diorama

A cased diorama of humming birds and butterflies. From the Mosquito Coast (Nicaraguu/Honduras). The 15 humming birds perched on sticks with a leaf background bordered by various butterflies. Height 58 cm. Width 34 cm. Provenance: Teutenberg family

A cased 19th century diorama of various crawling insects, moths…

New Zealand Insect Diorama

A cased 19th century diorama of various crawling insects, moths and butterflies. Collected from New Zealand. Height 51 cm. Width 35 cm. Provenance: Teutenberg family

A cased diorama of various crawling insects and butterflies.…

Crawling Insects and Butterflies from Mosquito Coast Diorama

A cased diorama of various crawling insects and butterflies. Collected from the Mosquito coast. Height 43 cm. Width 48 cm. Provenance: Teutenberg family

A large taxidermy Eurasian owl, displayed in a rimu framed…

Taxidermy Eurasian Owl in Rimu Cabinet

A large taxidermy Eurasian owl, displayed in a rimu framed glazed cabinet, black painted interior back, moss to the base, the owl perched upon a branch. Height of owl 62 cm. Cabinet dimensions 62 x 36 x 81 cm

A malachite cased mineral specimen collection in the form of a…

Malachite Mineral Collection Book

A malachite cased mineral specimen collection in the form of a book, 4 cm high, 27 cm long, 20 cm wide

Russian kamchatka bear full body mount in attacking standing…

Kamchatka Bear Attack on Oak Cabinet Mount

Russian kamchatka bear full body mount in attacking standing pose mounted on solid American oak cabinet in naturalistic scene, 9 ft tall

Cased taxidermy owl, approx 32 cm high, 20 cm wide, 18 cm deep

Cased Owl Taxidermy: 32x20x18cm

Cased taxidermy owl, approx 32 cm high, 20 cm wide, 18 cm deep

Taxidermy cased white squirrel, approx 34 cm high, 27 cm wide,…

White Squirrel Taxidermy Case

Taxidermy cased white squirrel, approx 34 cm high, 27 cm wide, 9 cm deep

Antique taxidermy display of birds in glazed cabinet, approx 65…

Antique bird taxidermy display in glazed cabinet

Antique taxidermy display of birds in glazed cabinet, approx 65 cm high, 85 cm wide, 22 cm deep

Antique taxidermy display of birds in glazed cabinet, approx 52…

Antique Bird Taxidermy Display Cabinet

Antique taxidermy display of birds in glazed cabinet, approx 52 cm high, 91 cm wide, 23 cm deep

Antique taxidermy display of birds in glazed cabinet, approx 27…

Antique Bird Taxidermy Display in Glazed Cabinet

Antique taxidermy display of birds in glazed cabinet, approx 27 cm high, 25 cm wide, 16 cm deep

A cased taxidermy Regent bird in original glass dome. Height 28…

Regent Bird Taxidermy in Glass Dome

A cased taxidermy Regent bird in original glass dome. Height 28 cm. Width 24 cm

An unusual still life display of European game, the hung…

European Game Still Life Display

An unusual still life display of European game, the hung specimens comprising a male golden pheasant, a brown hare, a Eurasian woodcock, a male willow grouse in dark red phase & abrace of grey partridges, in a deep oval mahogany case height 110 cm

Taxidermy bird of paradise, together with three other birds…

Vintage Glass Dome with Taxidermy Birds of Paradise

Taxidermy bird of paradise, together with three other birds housed in a vintage glass dome

Two taxidermy parrots, housed in a plastic dome. Height 30 cm

Preserved Parrots: Taxidermy in a Dome

Two taxidermy parrots, housed in a plastic dome. Height 30 cm

A large and impressive group of fourteen African taxidermy bee…

African Bee & Pollen Eater Birds in Glass Dome

A large and impressive group of fourteen African taxidermy bee and pollen eater birds, housed in a vintage glass dome. Height 62 cm

Taxidermied fairy penguin in glass dome, late 19th century.…

Preserved Fairy Penguin in Glass Dome

Taxidermied fairy penguin in glass dome, late 19th century. Dome 46 cm

An antique taxidermy tiger's head in a display case decorated…

Antique Tiger Head in Foliage Display Case

An antique taxidermy tiger's head in a display case decorated with naturalistic foliage etc. (taxidermist's label to the rear: a pollard - Furrier & Naturalist, London)

A large Art Nouveau style glazed stoneware pot on stand, 20th…

Art Nouveau Stoneware Pot on Stand

A large Art Nouveau style glazed stoneware pot on stand, 20th century. 78 cm high

Small antique French diorama of a ship 'Marie' approx 14 cm…

Antique French ship diorama "Marie"

Small antique French diorama of a ship 'Marie' approx 14 cm high, 29 cm wide

Early glass dome containing taxidermied birds. 6 birds,…

Taxidermy Bird Dome with 6 Birds and Paradise Species

Early glass dome containing taxidermied birds. 6 birds, including bird of Paradise. On wooden stand. Estate late Douglas Osborne Hawke. Height 85 cm. (total)

A small cased wooden tall ship diorama 'Stewart', late…

Small Wooden Tall Ship Diorama 'Stewart' - Late 19th/20th Century

A small cased wooden tall ship diorama 'Stewart', late 19th/20th century, 20 cm high, 25.5 wide, 8.5 deep

A pine relief carved diorama of a clipper ship in full sail,…

Clipper Ship Diorama in Pine Relief

A pine relief carved diorama of a clipper ship in full sail, Australian, late 19th/20th century, 37 cm high, 51 cm wide

A gilt framed nautical diorama depicting a three masted ship,…

Gilt-framed 19th Century Australian Nautical Diorama with Three-masted Ship

A gilt framed nautical diorama depicting a three masted ship, Australian, 19th century, 40 cm high, 45 cm wide

A framed nautical diorama with a masted ship, 19th century, 42…

Nautical Diorama: 19th Century Masted Ship

A framed nautical diorama with a masted ship, 19th century, 42 cm high, 71 cm wide

A large multiple panel glazed tall ship diorama on stand, dated…

1889 Tall Ship Diorama with Maker's Photograph

A large multiple panel glazed tall ship diorama on stand, dated 1889, together with a photograph of the maker Mr. Crawford, 2nd prize winner at the Mechanics Institute, Hamilton, August 1889, 210 cm high, 138 cm wide, 45 cm deep

An unusual cedar cased ship and shoreline diorama, Australian,…

19th Century Australian Cedar Ship Diorama

An unusual cedar cased ship and shoreline diorama, Australian, 19th century, 41 cm high, 97.5 cm wide, 23.5 cm deep

A cedar cased clipper ship diorama, Australian, 19th century,…

19th Century Australian Cedar Clipper Ship Diorama

A cedar cased clipper ship diorama, Australian, 19th century, 41 cm high, 62.5 cm wide, 32.5 cm deep

Victorian taxidermy bird diorama under a glass dome, 3 birds…

Victorian Bird Diorama in Glass Dome

Victorian taxidermy bird diorama under a glass dome, 3 birds and an egg

Two taxidermy bird displays in glass domes, 19th century. 43 cm…

19th Century Bird Taxidermy in Glass Domes

Two taxidermy bird displays in glass domes, 19th century. 43 cm & 31 cm

A taxidermied bird display in a glass dome. 26 cm high

Avian Display in Glass Dome

A taxidermied bird display in a glass dome. 26 cm high

Mounted white kiwi in display box

Preserved White Kiwi Displayed in Box

Mounted white kiwi in display box

A vintage taxidermy adult brown kiwi, standing on a circular…

Vintage Brown Kiwi Taxidermy with Display Case

A vintage taxidermy adult brown kiwi, standing on a circular ebonised plinth. Complete with display case, 46 x 43 cm

Antique diorama view of mill cottage and water wheel, in a…

Mill Cottage Diorama with Water Wheel in Landscape

Antique diorama view of mill cottage and water wheel, in a simulated landscape, antique wooden framed case

An Australian bird diorama in a glazed cedar case, 19th century,…

Australian Bird Diorama in Glazed Cedar Case, 19th Century

An Australian bird diorama in a glazed cedar case, 19th century, 81 cm high, 62 cm wide, 22 cm deep

A large Australian bird diorama on stand, 19th century, 156 cm…

19th Century Australian Bird Diorama on Stand

A large Australian bird diorama on stand, 19th century, 156 cm high, 103 cm wide, 30 cm high

An unusual bird feather floral arrangement in a glazed display…

Feathered Floral Display in Glazed Case

An unusual bird feather floral arrangement in a glazed display case, 19th century, 87 cm high, 47 cm wide, 20 cm deep

An Australian taxidermy Bower bird and Regent Rifle bird under…

Australian Taxidermy Birds Under Glass Dome

An Australian taxidermy Bower bird and Regent Rifle bird under glass dome, 19th century. 48 cm high, 32 cm diameter. Note: This lot has been identified at the time of cataloguing as containing organic material which may be subject to restrictions…

A taxidermy king parrot in 19th century glass dome. 55 cm high

King Parrot Taxidermy in Glass Dome (9 words)

A taxidermy king parrot in 19th century glass dome. 55 cm high

A taxidermy Alexandria parrot in 19th century glass dome. 50 cm…

19th Century Glass Dome with Taxidermy Parrot

A taxidermy Alexandria parrot in 19th century glass dome. 50 cm high

Victorian cased diorama of a four Masted Frigate. 52 x 81 cm

Victorian Frigate Diorama

Victorian cased diorama of a four Masted Frigate. 52 x 81 cm

An antique bird diorama in a glass case, 19th to early 20th…

Australian Bird Diorama in Mahogany Glass Case

An antique bird diorama in a glass case, 19th to early 20th century, comprising approximately thirty Australian bird species including a lyrebird pair, frogmouth, various parrots, wading birds and others posed naturalistically upon branches in a mahogany…

A taxidermy figure of a standing hedgehog, in original wall…

Standing Hedgehog Taxidermy in Glass Cabinet with Foliage

A taxidermy figure of a standing hedgehog, in original wall mounted glass sided cabinet with forest foliage and debris. Details on reverse. 'Caught at J. Forbes by T. Coutts, mounted by USP 1923. 45 cm x 26 cm x 39 cm

A Victorian ornithological / Animalia, diorama, taxidermy,…

Victorian Animal Diorama with Owls and Duck

A Victorian ornithological / Animalia, diorama, taxidermy, figure group, late 19th century, including Owls, duck and various taxidermy subjects, housed in glass display case. Height 72 cm. Width 95 cm. Depth 26 cm

A Victorian ornithological / Animalia, diorama, taxidermy,…

Victorian Animal Diorama with Taxidermy Subjects

A Victorian ornithological / Animalia, diorama, taxidermy, figure group, late 19th century, including Owls, Eagles, duck and various taxidermy, subjects housed in glass display case. Height 75 cm. Width 93 cm. Depth 30 cm

A Victorian cased taxidermy Otter, late 19th century. Height 67.…

Victorian Otter Taxidermy Display Case

A Victorian cased taxidermy Otter, late 19th century. Height 67.5 cm. Width 126 cm. Depth 29 cm

Collection of shells in dome top glass case, 33 cm high

Dome Top Shell Collection Display

Collection of shells in dome top glass case, 33 cm high

Two taxidermy partridges and one other, cased in glass, circa…

1880 Taxidermy Partridge Trio in Glass Case

Two taxidermy partridges and one other, cased in glass, circa 1880.

A taxidermy sparrowhawk, cased in glass, circa 1880.

Glass-cased Sparrowhawk Taxidermy, 1880

A taxidermy sparrowhawk, cased in glass, circa 1880.

A taxidermy English pike, cased in glass, circa 1890.

Glass-encased English pike taxidermy from 1890

A taxidermy English pike, cased in glass, circa 1890.

A taxidermy red tailed black cockatoo, on tree stump, in glass…

Vintage Red Tailed Black Cockatoo Taxidermy on Stump

A taxidermy red tailed black cockatoo, on tree stump, in glass case, circa 1950.

A bird diorama under dome, 19th century, 24 cm high

19th Century Bird Diorama Under Dome

A bird diorama under dome, 19th century, 24 cm high

Vintage taxidermy bird in display case, width 33 cm X diameter…

Vintage Bird Taxidermy Display Case

Vintage taxidermy bird in display case, width 33 cm X diameter 19.5 cm X height 36.5 cm approx

Cased set of taxidermied exotic birds, English, including a…

Exotic Bird Taxidermy Set, 19th Century

Cased set of taxidermied exotic birds, English, including a Toucan and a Quetzel (now extinct), 19th century, 82 cm high, 53 cm wide, 21 cm deep. Provenance: J B Hawkins Antiques

A cased set of taxidermied birds

Avian Collection in Display Case

A cased set of taxidermied birds

Pair of cased Taxidermied birds, English, 19th century, 78 cm…

19th Century English Taxidermy Bird Pair in Case

Pair of cased Taxidermied birds, English, 19th century, 78 cm high, 35 cm wide, 20 cm deep

Taxidermied bird under glass dome, English, 19th century, 37 cm…

19th Century English Taxidermied Bird in Glass Dome

Taxidermied bird under glass dome, English, 19th century, 37 cm high

Victorian cased diorama of four taxidermy specimen birds…

Victorian Bird Diorama with Taxidermy Specimens

Victorian cased diorama of four taxidermy specimen birds including goldfinch, woodpecker, etc, in naturalistic setting

Victorian cased diorama of two taxidermy falcons in a…

Rock-bound Falcons: Victorian Taxidermy Diorama

Victorian cased diorama of two taxidermy falcons in a naturalistic rock setting

Victorian cased diorama of a taxidermy crested grebe in a…

Crested Grebe Diorama

Victorian cased diorama of a taxidermy crested grebe in a naturalistic setting

Three taxidermy displays, Pamphobeteus antinous (Peru) F., a…

Taxidermy Displays: Spider, Moths, Scorpion & Spider Fight

Three taxidermy displays, Pamphobeteus antinous (Peru) F., a spider, framed and glazed, specimen 19 cm long, 32 x 27 cm, Tacua speciosa, Pomponia imperatoria & Tosena faciata, three taxidermy moths, framed as one, 30 x 21 cm and a Black Scorpion…

Collection of taxidermy butterflies in case

Butterfly Taxidermy Collection

Collection of taxidermy butterflies in case

Two quality pairs of vintage shark jaws, wired together for…

Vintage Shark Jaws Display Pair

Two quality pairs of vintage shark jaws, wired together for display. Widths 23 cm and 33 cm

An Italian collage of pressed botanical samples. 98 cm x 77.5 cm

Italian Botanical Collage

An Italian collage of pressed botanical samples. 98 cm x 77.5 cm

Two quality pairs of vintage shark jaws, wired together for…

Vintage Shark Jaws Display Set

Two quality pairs of vintage shark jaws, wired together for display. Width 23 cm and 33 cm

A large impressive oblong white tropical coral specimen, of…

White Tropical Coral Specimen with Display Stand

A large impressive oblong white tropical coral specimen, of boat form and in excellent condition. With metal display stand. Length 29 cm

A mounted Mosasaur (Platecarpus ictericus) skull, late…

Mounted Mosasaur Skull from Late Cretaceous Period

A mounted Mosasaur (Platecarpus ictericus) skull, late Cretaceous Period, Niobrara Formation, Kansas, mounted on a black enamelled metal stand, within a glazed display case. skull 47 x 46 x 25 cm, glazed case 55.5 cm high, 60 cm wide, 39.5 cm deep, plinth…

Victorian cased set taxidermy birds, glass and wood case…

Victorian Taxidermy Bird Set in Glass Case

Victorian cased set taxidermy birds, glass and wood case enclosing twenty-one birds, ostensibly of Australian native birds 77 x 91 cm

Victorian cased taxidermy Australian birds, posed perched on…

Victorian Taxidermy Australian Bird Display

Victorian cased taxidermy Australian birds, posed perched on branches. 107 cm x87 cm x 39 cm

Collection of moa bones comprising one large and two smaller…

Moa bones and artifacts from Waikato cave

Collection of moa bones comprising one large and two smaller leg/foot bones with three toe bones, other small bone, three gizzard stones and five stalagmite pieces. These we found by the Auckland Speleology (caving) Society in 1957 in a limestone cave…

Victorian taxidermy bird display three tropical birds in glass…

Victorian Tropical Bird Taxidermy Display

Victorian taxidermy bird display three tropical birds in glass dome on ebonised base, height 35 cm

Large taxidermy bird of paradise in dome fine grade example of…

Raggiana Paradisae: Stunning Bird of Paradise Taxidermy

Large taxidermy bird of paradise in dome fine grade example of a Raggiana Paradisae, bird of paradise native of Papua New Guinea. This bird features a vibrant green neck yellow head, brownish red feathers and a black crest with a great plume of yellow…

A scale model diorama of World War I scene in Perspex display…

WWI Diorama in Perspex Case

A scale model diorama of World War I scene in Perspex display case 23 x 69 x 48 cm

A taxidermied bird display in case, 19th century, 54 cm high,…

19th Century Bird Taxidermy Display Case

A taxidermied bird display in case, 19th century, 54 cm high, 45 cm wide, 30 cm deep

A rare Pink and White Terraces silica coated teapot, thick…

Rare Pink and White Terraces Teapot

A rare Pink and White Terraces silica coated teapot, thick textured coating. height 14.5 cm. Provenance: Ex. the Oparau Museum (near Kawhia) where it was on display for many years with the associated note: 'This is a... teapot from the Tarawera Eruption…

A taxidermied kiwi bird in glass case (unassociated), 19th…

19th Century Taxidermied Kiwi Bird in Glass Case

A taxidermied kiwi bird in glass case (unassociated), 19th century, the case 40 cm high, 48 cm wide, 20 cm deep