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...

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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 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

Two ceramic glazed skull mugs impressed marks

Glazed Skull Mugs with Impressed Marks

Two ceramic glazed skull mugs impressed marks

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

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

Large barnacle coral display specimen diameter 30 cm

30 cm Barnacle Coral Display

Large barnacle coral display specimen diameter 30 cm

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

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

Insect specimen, Tropidacris Dux, Peru, red winged Grasshopper,…

Insect specimen, Tropidacris Dux, Peru, red winged Grasshopper, mounted in black framed display case, height 33 cm, width 33 cm, depth 6 cm

Insect specimens, Eupatorus gracilicornis, Thailand, four…

Insect specimens, Eupatorus gracilicornis, Thailand, four horned Rhino Beetles, mounted in black framed display case, height 38 cm, width 28 cm, depth 6 cm

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

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

Collection of taxidermy butterflies in case

Butterfly Taxidermy Collection

Collection of taxidermy butterflies in case

Vesta case, silverplated in the form of a tusk with pig finial

Pig-tusk Vesta Case

Vesta case, silverplated in the form of a tusk with pig finial

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

James Gillray (English, 1765 - 1815) [William Pitt] the…

Pitt and the Cathedral: A Graveyard Endeavour

James Gillray (English, 1765 - 1815) [William Pitt] the Minister endeavouring to eke out Dr. Pr.Ty..N's Bisho-prick', [R. Phillips, Southwark, 1787], etching, 33 24 cm. Pitt holds up the dome of St. Paul's which he is to place over Lincoln Cathedral. He…

A taxidermy snake in glass dome on ceramic base, 19th/20th…

Taxidermy Snake in Glass Dome on Ceramic Base

A taxidermy snake in glass dome on ceramic base, 19th/20th century, 41 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

Taxidermy birds under glass dome

Avian Taxidermy in Glass Dome

Taxidermy birds under glass dome

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 small taxidermied heron, on black stand under a glass dome,…

Taxidermy Heron Under Glass Dome

A small taxidermied heron, on black stand under a glass dome, height 45 cm.

A taxidermied three headed duckling in display cloche, height…

Three-Headed Duckling: Taxidermy Display in Cloche (16.5 cm)

A taxidermied three headed duckling in display cloche, height 16.5 cm

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

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 cobra and mongoose display piece, height 55 cm

Cobra and Mongoose Taxidermy Display, 55cm Height

A taxidermy cobra and mongoose display piece, height 55 cm

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

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

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

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

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

Taxidermy, Princess parrot, early 20th century, in oval glazed…

Early 20th Century Princess Parrot Taxidermy in Display Case

Taxidermy, Princess parrot, early 20th century, in oval glazed and cedar display case, height 22 cm width 35 cm. Provenance: The Collection of Janet and Graeme Webb, Wollogorang, NSW

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 diorama of a bar-tailed godwit bird surrounded by quails in…

Bird and Quail Diorama

A diorama of a bar-tailed godwit bird surrounded by quails in glass case, 19th century 34 cm high, 47 cm wide, 28 cm deep

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

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

A taxidermied African bird diorama under dome, with three…

Exotic Bird Diorama Under Dome

A taxidermied African bird diorama under dome, with three colourful and exotic birds, the dome 54 cm high

A large taxidermy multiple insect framed display, the 70+…

70+ Insect Taxidermy Display in Pine Frame

A large taxidermy multiple insect framed display, the 70+ mainly insects including stag horn and other beetles, long horn beetles, stick insects, grasshoppers, crab, etc. In pine glazed display frame. 48 x 62.5 cm.

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…

A taxidermy sparrowhawk, cased in glass, circa 1880.

Glass-cased Sparrowhawk Taxidermy, 1880

A taxidermy sparrowhawk, cased in glass, circa 1880.

A taxidermied African bird diorama under dome, with four…

Exotic Bird Diorama Under Dome - 44cm High

A taxidermied African bird diorama under dome, with four colourful and exotic birds, 44 cm high

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 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 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

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

Cased taxidermy sulphur crested cockatoo standing on a timber…

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo Taxidermy on Timber Stand

Cased taxidermy sulphur crested cockatoo standing on a timber stand, height 62 cm x width 38 cm x depth 21 cm

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

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

A taxidermied bird diorama, 19th century, composed of…

19th Century Bird Diorama

A taxidermied bird diorama, 19th century, composed of waterbirds and sparrows in a stylised landscape, 35 cm high, 40 cm wide, 10 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

Diorama of a two master ships. 200 x 56.5 cm.

Two Master Ships Diorama

Diorama of a two master ships. 200 x 56.5 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

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

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

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 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

Victorian glazed taxidermy display, four ducks 70 cm wide

Victorian Duck Taxidermy Display - 70cm Wide

Victorian glazed taxidermy display, four ducks 70 cm wide

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 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

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

Taxidermied Victorian mopoke owl in glazed display case 53 cm…

Victorian Mopoke Owl Taxidermy Display Case

Taxidermied Victorian mopoke owl in glazed display case 53 cm height

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 collection of exotic Insects, including Cameroon beetles,…

Exotic Insect Collection: Cameroon Beetles in Cases

A collection of exotic Insects, including Cameroon beetles, cased.

Taxidermy, pair of Quails, early 20th century, in glazed…

Pair of Quails in Glazed Display Case

Taxidermy, pair of Quails, early 20th century, in glazed display case, height 33 cm width 39 cm. Provenance: The Collection of Janet and Graeme Webb, Wollogorang, NSW

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 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 Victorian cased shellwork house Facade, centred with a clock,…

Victorian Shellwork House with Clock and Paper Flowers

A Victorian cased shellwork house Facade, centred with a clock, the garden with paper flowers, height 45 cm, width 49 cm, depth 10 cm

19th century taxidermy of Australian kookaburra in glazed case…

Kookaburra Taxidermy by R. Allder

19th century taxidermy of Australian kookaburra in glazed case with naturalistic setting, by R. Allder, Naturalist Co. Bartholomew St, Newbury

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 taxidermy English pike, cased in glass, circa 1890.

Glass-encased English pike taxidermy from 1890

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

Victorian glazed taxidermy display, ducks, parrots and small…

Victorian Bird Taxidermy Display - 70cm Wide

Victorian glazed taxidermy display, ducks, parrots and small birds 70 cm wide

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

A framed fern display, New Zealand, 19th century, label verso…

Framed Fern Display by L. Hooker, 19th Century

A framed fern display, New Zealand, 19th century, label verso 'Framed By L. Hooker, Hawera, 71 cm x 57 cm overall

An antique taxidermied bird display in glass dome, 19th century,…

19th Century Taxidermy Bird Display in Glass Dome

An antique taxidermied bird display in glass dome, 19th century, the dome 54 cm high

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.

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

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

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 glazed taxidermy display, five small birds 81 wide

Victorian Bird Taxidermy Display

Victorian glazed taxidermy display, five small birds 81 wide

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 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

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

A cased pair of Victorian taxidermy Shieldrakes,…

Victorian Taxidermy Shieldrakes in Cased Pair

A cased pair of Victorian taxidermy Shieldrakes, naturalistically posed on rocks and seaweed, signed Thomas Elliss, Swaffham, March 23rd 1855. Height 48 cm, width 82 cm, depth 22 cm. Provenance: Contents of Swanton, Sutton Forest

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

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

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 collection of sixty iridescent jewel beetles, presented in…

Iridescent Jewel Beetles in Antique Mahogany Case

A collection of sixty iridescent jewel beetles, presented in 19th century mahogany lidded case. 25.5 x 30 cm.

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 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 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

Taxidermy bird display in dome case, height 55 cm,

55cm Bird Taxidermy Dome Display

Taxidermy bird display in dome case, height 55 cm,

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

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

Taxidermy white cockatoo, the specimen on a naturalistically…

White Cockatoo Taxidermy in Glazed Wooden Case

Taxidermy white cockatoo, the specimen on a naturalistically painted rocky outcrop, with blue sky background, within a glazed wooden case, height 65 cm width 42 cm depth 22 cm. Provenance: The collection of Robert Hutchinson, Sydney

A framed cased display of fifteen morpho blue Cypres and other…

Morpho Blue Butterfly Display

A framed cased display of fifteen morpho blue Cypres and other butterflies, striking iridescent blue tones to many. 45 x 60 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

Seaweed: A similar range in two albums and loose; almost all…

Seaweed Showcase

Seaweed: A similar range in two albums and loose; almost all attractively displayed and annotated on individual pages. (60 displays).