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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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…

Timber specimen board antique Australian blackwood framed…

Timber specimen board antique Australian blackwood framed display housing sixty timber specimen examples, thirty one of which are native to Australia and New Zealand, all attractively captioned, early 20th century, 97 cm high, 55 cm wide

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

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…

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

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

Sulphur-Crested cockatoo taxidermy display in cabinet, 19th…

19th Century Cockatoo Taxidermy Display Cabinet

Sulphur-Crested cockatoo taxidermy display in cabinet, 19th century, 70 cm high, 47.5 cm wide, 30.5 cm deep

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

Victorian dome cased display of 10 Australian birds, in a…

Victorian Australian Bird Dome Display

Victorian dome cased display of 10 Australian birds, in a naturalistic setting, the oval rosewood base with bun feet, 63 cm high

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 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 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 brass and ebonised fusee movement orrery, after the antique,…

Antique-style Brass and Ebonised Orrery with Glass Dome

A brass and ebonised fusee movement orrery, after the antique, with a glass dome and fitted wooden base, the dome 42 cm high

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

Taxidermy group of three bowerbirds, the specimens on a…

Bowerbird Taxidermy Trio in Glass Dome

Taxidermy group of three bowerbirds, the specimens on a naturalistically painted rocky outcrop, within glass dome, height 45.5 cm width 41 cm. Provenance: The collection of Robert Hutchinson, Sydney

Taxidermy tree of birds, the specimens on a naturalistically…

Bird Tree Taxidermy

Taxidermy tree of birds, the specimens on a naturalistically painted tree, with blue sky background, within a glazed cedar case, height 95 cm width 65 cm depth 32 cm. Provenance: The collection of Robert Hutchinson, Sydney

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

Two ceramic glazed skull mugs impressed marks

Glazed Skull Mugs with Impressed Marks

Two ceramic glazed skull mugs impressed marks

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

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

A rare two-headed lamb full taxidermy mount in glazed case, the…

Two-Headed Lamb Taxidermy in Glazed Case

A rare two-headed lamb full taxidermy mount in glazed case, the standing lamb in ebonised case. 50 x 37.5 x 50 cm.

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).

A taxidermy New Zealand Bittern (Kaoriki), late 19th century.…

New Zealand Bittern Taxidermy in Glazed Display Case

A taxidermy New Zealand Bittern (Kaoriki), late 19th century. The bird set amongst foliage in a glazed colonial display case. 65 x 42 cm

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

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 glazed taxidermy display, five small birds 81 wide

Victorian Bird Taxidermy Display

Victorian glazed taxidermy display, five small birds 81 wide

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…

Taxidermy bird display in dome case, height 55 cm,

55cm Bird Taxidermy Dome Display

Taxidermy bird display in dome case, height 55 cm,

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

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.

An antique lyre bird tail feather display on plush velvet…

Antique Lyre Bird Feather Display

An antique lyre bird tail feather display on plush velvet ground in gilt frame shadow box, circa 1880, 100 x 74 cm

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

A cased group of taxidermy seabirds, the nine various specimens…

Taxidermy Seabirds in Glazed Rosewood Case

A cased group of taxidermy seabirds, the nine various specimens on a naturalistically painted rocky outcrop, with blue sky background, within a glazed rosewood framed case, height 71 cm, width 81 cm, depth 21 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 goose by E. Allen & Co, cased, standing on a…

Rockwork Goose Taxidermy by E. Allen & Co

A taxidermy goose by E. Allen & Co, cased, standing on a naturalistic rockwork with grasses, trade label to reverse, height 71 cm, width 73.5 cm, depth 27 cm

A taxidermy male Raggiana bird of paradise, displaying on a…

Male Raggiana Bird of Paradise Taxidermy Display

A taxidermy male Raggiana bird of paradise, displaying on a twig perch in a mahogany framed case, height 63 cm, width 50 cm, depth 39 cm. Provenance: Bonhams Sydney, The Owston Collection, 26 June 2010, part of lot 1204

A taxidermy adult snowy owl, on a tree stump, in a mahogany…

Snowy Owl Taxidermy in Mahogany Frame

A taxidermy adult snowy owl, on a tree stump, in a mahogany framed case, height 81.5 cm, width 55.5 cm, depth 40 cm. Provenance: Bonhams Sydney, The Owston Collection, 26 June 2010, part of lot 1204

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

An extinct adult little bush moa skeleton display, the near…

Extinct Little Bush Moa Skeleton Display

An extinct adult little bush moa skeleton display, the near complete moa (Anomalopteryx didiformis) skeleton principally from the one bird found c.1969/1970 on a private farm, in Hill Top Cave, Oparure, South Waitomo by our vendor. A couple of years later…

A Colonial taxidermy bird display in Australian cedar case,…

Colonial bird taxidermy display in Australian cedar case

A Colonial taxidermy bird display in Australian cedar case, circa 1870, 85 cm high, 70 cm wide, 28 cm deep

A glass cased taxidermy prize freshwater pike, English, circa…

Antique Taxidermy Pike in Glass Case

A glass cased taxidermy prize freshwater pike, English, circa 1900 Piccadilly, London taxidermy label verso the case 41 cm high, 101 cm wide, 18 cm deep

An extinct North Island giant moa leg, species Dinornis…

Extinct North Island Giant Moa Leg Displayed

An extinct North Island giant moa leg, species Dinornis novaezelandiae, consisting of femur, tibia, metatarsus and toe bones. Mostly from one bird, some restoration and plaster cast replacement. Wire mounted on a display stand. Height 125 cm. Provenance:…

An extinct adult male stout-legged moa skeleton, predominantly…

Extinct male stout-legged moa skeleton for sale

An extinct adult male stout-legged moa skeleton, predominantly the bones from one bird, some plaster restoration and replacement. Height 79 cm. Provenance: Found by our vendor in 1965 on his Oparure family farm, south Waitomo district. Copy of 1968…

Large barnacle coral display specimen diameter 30 cm

30 cm Barnacle Coral Display

Large barnacle coral display specimen diameter 30 cm

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

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

A Victorian taxidermy bird display in original glass dome…

Victorian Bird Taxidermy Display in Glass Dome

A Victorian taxidermy bird display in original glass dome housing 12 assorted birds, 19th century, 52 cm high

19th century Australian selection of taxidermy birds, set…

Australian Taxidermy Birds in Cedar Case and Table

19th century Australian selection of taxidermy birds, set within a wonderful cedar case and table, all perched on branch, the table and case accented with bobbin turned supports, 194 x 106 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 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 rare malachite case containing mineral samples late 19th…

Malachite Mineral Sample Case in Book Form

A rare malachite case containing mineral samples late 19th century, the case in a form of a book, the lid opening to reveal eighteen glass cased specimen samples, the paper label to the interior of the lid noting the specimen names. 4.5 cm high, 27.2 cm…

A collection of exotic Insects, including Cameroon beetles,…

Exotic Insect Collection: Cameroon Beetles in Cases

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

A rare complete set of Dinornis robustus (giant moa) foot bones,…

Complete set of Giant Moa foot bones

A rare complete set of Dinornis robustus (giant moa) foot bones, a tarsometatarsus and articulated toe bones, held together with display wire, length 77 cm. Note: This South Island giant moa was the largest of all moa

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

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

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

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 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

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 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 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

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…

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

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 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

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

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…

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

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

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 Pair

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

Collection of taxidermy butterflies in case

Butterfly Taxidermy Collection

Collection of taxidermy butterflies in case

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…

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

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

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

A cased set of taxidermied birds

Avian Collection in Display Case

A cased set of taxidermied birds

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

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

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 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.

A taxidermy sparrowhawk, cased in glass, circa 1880.

Glass-cased Sparrowhawk Taxidermy, 1880

A taxidermy sparrowhawk, cased in glass, circa 1880.

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.

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

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

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 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

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 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