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...

55 items found:

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

An antique sawfish rostrum, remnant only, early 20th century,…

Antique Sawfish Rostrum Remnant, Early 20th Century, 93cm Length

An antique sawfish rostrum, remnant only, early 20th century, 93 cm overall

Sawfish Rostrum, sawfish, also known as carpenter sharks, are a…

Sawfish Rostrum, sawfish, also known as carpenter sharks, are a family of rays characterized by a long, narrow, flattened rostrum, or nose extension, lined with sharp transverse teeth. This example 110 cm

Sawfish bill, c. 1900, on black metal stand, height 104 cm…

Antique Sawfish Bill on Stand

Sawfish bill, c. 1900, on black metal stand, height 104 cm (including. Stand). Provenance: Private Collection, Tasmania

Sawfish bill (rostrum) mounted in shadowbox frame, mid 20th…

Mid-century Sawfish Bill Shadowbox Frame

Sawfish bill (rostrum) mounted in shadowbox frame, mid 20th century, 40 cm long, 160 x 22 cm overall

A mid 20th century swordfish rostrum, on custom mount.…

Mid 20th Century Swordfish Rostrum on Custom Mount

A mid 20th century swordfish rostrum, on custom mount. Provenance: Ex. Private Museum, Queensland, length 115.5 cm, width 30 cm

A swordfish rostrum (bill), 19th/20th century, 98 cm long

19th/20th Century Swordfish Rostrum

A swordfish rostrum (bill), 19th/20th century, 98 cm long

An impressive swordfish rostrum (bill), 19th century, 138 cm…

19th Century Swordfish Rostrum - 138cm Long

An impressive swordfish rostrum (bill), 19th century, 138 cm long

A sawfish bill, mid 20th century, 77 cm high

Mid-Century Sawfish Bill Sculpture - 77 cm High

A sawfish bill, mid 20th century, 77 cm high

A vintage sawfish bill with leather handle

Leather-Handled Sawfish Bill: Vintage Treasure

A vintage sawfish bill with leather handle

Sawfish bill on stand

Sawfish Bill Displayed on Stand

Sawfish bill on stand

Sawfish bill on stand

Sawfish Bill Displayed on Stand

Sawfish bill on stand

A marlin bill, mounted by Tony White in sterling silver with…

Sterling Silver Marlin Bill with Bivalve Decoration

A marlin bill, mounted by Tony White in sterling silver with bivalve decoration, stamped 'White Stg Sil', with travertine plinth 45 cm high including plinth

A monumental sawfish bill, 146 cm high (including marble plinth)

Monumental Sawfish Bill Sculpture

A monumental sawfish bill, 146 cm high (including marble plinth)

A silver mounted marlin bill, by Tony White, 72 cm high…

Silver Marlin Bill Sculpture by Tony White

A silver mounted marlin bill, by Tony White, 72 cm high (including stone plinth)

Early sawfish bill, length 85 cm

85 cm Sawfish Bill: A Rare Find

Early sawfish bill, length 85 cm

Three sawfish bills (rostrums), [Anoxypristis] outlined with…

Anoxypristis Sawfish Bills with Triangular Teeth

Three sawfish bills (rostrums), [Anoxypristis] outlined with triangular teeth. Longest L.62 cm

A large sawfish bill (rostrum), [Pristis] outlined with 29…

29-toothed Pristis sawfish bill, 68.5 cm long

A large sawfish bill (rostrum), [Pristis] outlined with 29 transverse teeth. Length 68.5 cm.

Swordfish bill, of tapering form, mounted on custom built stand,…

Tapered Swordfish Bill on Custom Stand (6 words)

Swordfish bill, of tapering form, mounted on custom built stand, total height 56 cm

Swordfish bill on stand of large proportions with tapered shape…

Large Swordfish Bill on Custom Stand

Swordfish bill on stand of large proportions with tapered shape mounted on custom built stand, length 78 cm

A set of three Swordfish bills, mounted vertically on black…

Vertical Swordfish Bill Trio on Black Stands

A set of three Swordfish bills, mounted vertically on black stands. Longest 86 cm

An old large sawfish bill, the 72 teeth naturally projecting…

Ancient Sawfish Bill with 72 Teeth

An old large sawfish bill, the 72 teeth naturally projecting from each side, tapered form, three teeth with damage. Length 115 cm. Note: the sawfish also known as carpenter sharks are of a family of rays characterised by their long narrow flattened…

Pair of antique 35 cm Saw Fish bills

Antique Saw Fish Bills - Pair (35cm)

Pair of antique 35 cm Saw Fish bills

Large sawfish bill or rostrum of large proportions consisting…

Massive Sawfish Rostrum with 36 Teeth

Large sawfish bill or rostrum of large proportions consisting of a large beak and 36 teeth, length 110 cm

Swordfish bill on stand of large proportions with tapered shape…

Large Swordfish Bill on Custom Stand - 78cm

Swordfish bill on stand of large proportions with tapered shape mounted on custom built stand, length 78 cm

Antique taxidermy saw fish bill, 70 cm

Antique Sawfish Bill Taxidermy - 70cm

Antique taxidermy saw fish bill, 70 cm

Antique large taxidermy saw fish bill, 1.5m, ex. Cooktown Museum

Antique 1.5m Sawfish Bill from Cooktown Museum

Antique large taxidermy saw fish bill, 1.5m, ex. Cooktown Museum

Antique taxidermy saw fish bill, 72 cm

Antique Sawfish Bill Taxidermy - 72cm

Antique taxidermy saw fish bill, 72 cm

Antique large taxidermy male saw fish bill, 1.03m

Large Male Sawfish Bill Taxidermy

Antique large taxidermy male saw fish bill, 1.03m

Three sawfish bills, early to mid 20th century, largest 97 cm

Mid-20th Century Sawfish Bills - Set of Three

Three sawfish bills, early to mid 20th century, largest 97 cm

An old large sawfish bill, the 72 teeth naturally projecting…

Ancient Sawfish Bill with 72 Teeth

An old large sawfish bill, the 72 teeth naturally projecting from each side, tapered form, three teeth with damage. Length 115 cm. Note: the sawfish also known as carpenter sharks are of a family of rays characterised by their long, narrow, flattened…

A sawfish bill, mid 20th century, 132 cm

Mid 20th Century Sawfish Bill - 132cm

A sawfish bill, mid 20th century, 132 cm

Sawfish Rostrum 69.5 cm length

Long Sawfish Rostrum: 69.5 cm

Sawfish Rostrum 69.5 cm length

A sawfish bill mounted on wooden plinth. Bill: 65 cm

Sawfish Bill on Plinth - 65cm

A sawfish bill mounted on wooden plinth. Bill: 65 cm

Sawfish rostrum on metal stand, 80s cm high

Metal Stand Sawfish Rostrum (80cm)

Sawfish rostrum on metal stand, 80s cm high

Two swordfish rostrum on metal stands (2)

Swordfish Rostrum Duo on Metal Stands

Two swordfish rostrum on metal stands (2)

A vintage sawfish Rostrum. Pristidae family species. Length 140…

Vintage Sawfish Rostrum - 140cm Length

A vintage sawfish Rostrum. Pristidae family species. Length 140 cm

A Danish style bronze figure, mid 20th century, artist unknown…

Bronze Wrestler with Swordfish Sculpture

A Danish style bronze figure, mid 20th century, artist unknown depicting a figure wrestling a swordfish limited edition 538/600. Signed monogram lower. Height 24 cm

Marlin bill trophy mount on wooden shield, 60 cm

Marlin Bill Trophy Mount on Wooden Shield (60cm)

Marlin bill trophy mount on wooden shield, 60 cm

Antique sawfish bill, 1.3m length

1.3m Antique Sawfish Bill

Antique sawfish bill, 1.3m length

Rare antique giant sawfish bill 1.4m (from 20ft fish)

1.4m Giant Sawfish Bill: Rare Antique Find

Rare antique giant sawfish bill 1.4m (from 20ft fish)

Antique sawfish bill rostrum mounted on base, 1m long

Mounted Sawfish Bill, 1m Long

Antique sawfish bill rostrum mounted on base, 1m long

Large sword fish rostrum on mounted stand

Mounted Swordfish Rostrum Display

Large sword fish rostrum on mounted stand

3 sword fish bills, all mounted on plaques 'Concours Mondial De…

Swordfish Bills from Dakar 1980 Fishing Competition

3 sword fish bills, all mounted on plaques 'Concours Mondial De Peche a L'espadon, Dakar 1980'

Two swordfish rostrum on metal stands, each approx 96 cm high

Pair of 96cm Swordfish Rostrum on Metal Stands

Two swordfish rostrum on metal stands, each approx 96 cm high

Silver articulated sword fish

Articulated Silver Swordfish Sculpture

Silver articulated sword fish

Two swordfish rostrum on metal stands (2)

Swordfish Rostrum Duo on Metal Stands

Two swordfish rostrum on metal stands (2)

Three Swordfish rostrums on metal stands (3)

Swordfish Rostrums Trio on Metal Stands

Three Swordfish rostrums on metal stands (3)

Sawfish Rostrum, mounted on stand, height on stand 52 cm

Mounted Sawfish Rostrum - 52cm Height

Sawfish Rostrum, mounted on stand, height on stand 52 cm

Sawfish rostrum with applied reptile skin sleeve to the base,…

Reptile-skin Sawfish Rostrum with Shell and Bead Decorations

Sawfish rostrum with applied reptile skin sleeve to the base, decorated with shells and beads on a metal stand, West Papua, 91 cm high

Two swordfish bills, in fitted stands, together with a single…

Swordfish Bills Trio on Display

Two swordfish bills, in fitted stands, together with a single sword fish bill (3). Height 75 cm 76 cm in stand, height 90 cm in stand

Pair of sawfish rostrum, mounted on stand (2). Height 149 cm,…

Mounted sawfish rostrum pair on stand

Pair of sawfish rostrum, mounted on stand (2). Height 149 cm, and 116 cm

Large sword fish rostrum, 134 cm length

Massive 134cm Swordfish Rostrum

Large sword fish rostrum, 134 cm length

Antique record sawfish bill specimen, circa 1950, 1.5m tall

1950 Sawfish Bill Specimen: Antique Record, 1.5m Tall

Antique record sawfish bill specimen, circa 1950, 1.5m tall

A natural history sawfish bill with 38 teeth (one missing).…

38-tooth Sawfish Bill: A Natural History Discovery

A natural history sawfish bill with 38 teeth (one missing). Length 61 cm