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...

48 items found:

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

A late Victorian cased taxidermy diorama of south American…

A late Victorian cased taxidermy diorama of south American birds, late 19th century, an array of colourful birds of various species perched on tree twigs above a naturalistic earth floor with beetles, in a hardwood-framed case glazed to all sides, 91 cm…

A late Victorian Cedar-Cased taxidermy diorama of Australian…

Late Victorian Australian Parrot Taxidermy Diorama by Arthur Coles

A late Victorian Cedar-Cased taxidermy diorama of Australian parrots, Arthur Coles, Melbourne, late 19th century, a King parrot, gang-gang cockatoo, crimson and Eastern rosellas, various lorikeets, and budgerigars, variously mounted on a tree and the…

Tiger Hunt diorama. Includes Marlborough painted white metal…

Tiger Hunt Diorama with Marlborough Figures

Tiger Hunt diorama. Includes Marlborough painted white metal figures of four elephants with mahouts and hunters, lone beater, three tigers and scenery. Displayed in velvet lined antique glazed case with rear door. Length 67 cm, height 33 cm, depth 32 cm

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 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 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

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 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

An antique fish diorama in glass case, 19th century, 59 cm high,…

19th Century Fish Diorama in Glass Case

An antique fish diorama in glass case, 19th century, 59 cm high, 67 cm wide, 16 cm deep

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

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 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 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 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 folk art cottage diorama with mariner shell decoration, late…

Mariner Shell Cottage Diorama - Late 19th Century

A folk art cottage diorama with mariner shell decoration, late 19th century, 47 cm high, 62 cm wide, 40 cm deep

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 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

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…

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

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 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

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

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 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

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 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

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 collection of six shell mounted dioramas, first half 20th…

Vintage Sailor's Valentine Shell Dioramas Collection

A collection of six shell mounted dioramas, first half 20th century, in the style of a sailor's valentine, the largest 27 cm high

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 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 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

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

Victorian butterfly, insect & beetle diorama in glass cabinet c.…

Victorian Insect Diorama in Glass Cabinet

Victorian butterfly, insect & beetle diorama in glass cabinet c.1880's

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

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 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 large shell diorama in a glazed cabinet 91.5 x 44 x 43 cm.…

Shell Diorama in Glazed Cabinet from Estate Sale

A large shell diorama in a glazed cabinet 91.5 x 44 x 43 cm. Provenance: Estate of the late Ian David Cooper, Victoria.

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.

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

Four taxidermied Amazonian parrots perched in diorama

Amazonian Parrot Diorama with Taxidermy Perches

Four taxidermied Amazonian parrots perched in diorama

Framed butterfly diorama containing three butterflies

Tri-Butterfly Diorama

Framed butterfly diorama containing three butterflies

Framed butterfly diorama with entomological labels

Entomological Butterfly Diorama with Labels

Framed butterfly diorama with entomological labels

Small framed diorama containing beetle and butterfly species

Bug Box

Small framed diorama containing beetle and butterfly species

Diorama of butterfly specimens under glass dome, 43 cm high

Butterfly Specimen Diorama Under Glass Dome

Diorama of butterfly specimens under glass dome, 43 cm high

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

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

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