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...

27 items found:

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

Narwhal tusk, an exceptional antique example mounted on a fine…

Narwhal tusk, an exceptional antique example mounted on a fine carved mahogany base, 19th century, 213 cm high

Des Baker carved whale bone sculpture of a narwhal, engraved…

Des Baker carved whale bone sculpture of a narwhal, engraved signature and title 'Narwhal'. Length 30 cm.

Four whale bones, largest 56 cm length

Four Whale Bones: Largest 56 cm in Length

Four whale bones, largest 56 cm length

Large sperm whale vertebrae, c. 1900, on black metal stand,…

1900 Sperm Whale Vertebrae on Metal Stand from Tasmania

Large sperm whale vertebrae, c. 1900, on black metal stand, height 94 cm (including. Stand). Provenance: Private Collection, Tasmania

Two Australian police coshes, one with steel bar and weighted…

Australian Police Coshes from Late 19th Century

Two Australian police coshes, one with steel bar and weighted interior covered with animal tail leather hide, the second with a spiral whale baleen shaft with lead filled and woven bulb ends, with leather wrist strap, late 19th century, the largest 34 cm…

Antique bosons persuader / starter made from whales baleen and…

Whale Baleen Boson Persuader

Antique bosons persuader / starter made from whales baleen and thread work, 22 cm long

Two whale bones, 76 cm, 70 cm lengths

Two Whale Bones: 76 cm and 70 cm Lengths

Two whale bones, 76 cm, 70 cm lengths

Two antique whale vertebrae on stands 49 cm high

Antique Whale Vertebrae on Stands (10 words)

Two antique whale vertebrae on stands 49 cm high

A whale's eardrum, length 11.5 cm

11.5 cm Eardrum of a Whale

A whale's eardrum, length 11.5 cm

Pair of whale rib bones, permit No: 282/16

Whale Rib Bones Permit 282/16

Pair of whale rib bones, permit No: 282/16

A whalebone vertebrae, 19th century 45 cm high, 70 cm wide

19th Century Whalebone Vertebrae Sculpture

A whalebone vertebrae, 19th century 45 cm high, 70 cm wide

Two adult whale rib bones, natural curved form, white finish…

Curved Whale Rib Bones: Natural White Finish

Two adult whale rib bones, natural curved form, white finish with tan toned sections and ends. Length 152 cm and 170 cm

Two antique whale vertebrae on stands, together with four…

Antique Whale Vertebrae and Books Set

Two antique whale vertebrae on stands, together with four related books, the largest 38 cm across

A walrus oosik (baculum) carved with whaling scene, on whale…

Whaling Scene Carved Walrus Oosik on Bone Stand

A walrus oosik (baculum) carved with whaling scene, on whale bone stand, 50 cm long

An old small whalebone vertabra. Width 30.5 cm

Antique Whalebone Vertebra - 30.5 cm Width

An old small whalebone vertabra. Width 30.5 cm

A pair of narwhal tusks, 197 cm high, and 190 cm high.…

The Anderson Collection: Narwhal Tusks

A pair of narwhal tusks, 197 cm high, and 190 cm high. Provenance: The Warren Anderson Collection

Two sperm whale bones.

Sperm Whale Bones: A Tale of the Deep

Two sperm whale bones.

A whale's skull, early 20th century, 60 cm long

Early 20th Century Whale Skull - 60cm Long

A whale's skull, early 20th century, 60 cm long

A whale's rib bone, 19th century

19th Century Whale Rib Bone

A whale's rib bone, 19th century

Two pieces of whale baleen, 19th century and later, the largest…

19th Century Whale Baleen Pieces

Two pieces of whale baleen, 19th century and later, the largest 145 cm

A large Narwhal tusk, first half 20th century, 220 cm high

20th Century Narwhal Tusk: 220cm of Magnificence

A large Narwhal tusk, first half 20th century, 220 cm high

A large whale rib bone, 265 cm long

Massive 265cm Whale Rib Bone

A large whale rib bone, 265 cm long

A pair of whale ear bones, late 19th century, the largest 13 cm…

Whale ear bones, 19th century

A pair of whale ear bones, late 19th century, the largest 13 cm high

A narwhal tusk, 19th century, 80.7 cm long

19th Century Narwhal Tusk - 80.7 cm Long

A narwhal tusk, 19th century, 80.7 cm long

Two antique whales eardrums, approximately 10 cm wide, mounted…

Antique Whale Eardrums on Harpoon Tips

Two antique whales eardrums, approximately 10 cm wide, mounted on harpoon tips

Scrimshawed elephants tusk depicting whale hunt

Whale Hunt on Elephant Tusk

Scrimshawed elephants tusk depicting whale hunt