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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Old mounted tortoise shell, height 51 cm

Vintage Tortoise Shell Mount - 51 cm Height

Old mounted tortoise shell, height 51 cm

A large old polished turtle shell, overall good condition. 72 x…

Large Polished Turtle Shell in Excellent Condition

A large old polished turtle shell, overall good condition. 72 x 57 cm

A turtle shell, 36 x 30 cm

36 x 30 cm Turtle Shell

A turtle shell, 36 x 30 cm

Antique tortoise shell. 25 cm long

Antique Tortoise Shell: 25cm Long

Antique tortoise shell. 25 cm long

Turtle carapace shell (length 40 cm approx).

40 cm Turtle Carapace Shell

Turtle carapace shell (length 40 cm approx).

Antique tortoise shell

Vintage Tortoise Shell Collectible

Antique tortoise shell

A long neck turtle shell

Long-necked turtle shell

A long neck turtle shell

Turtle carapace (shell)

Turtle Shell: Nature's Protective Armor

Turtle carapace (shell)

A large old turtle shell, 13 plates. Distressed. Length 77 cm

Distressed 13-plate Turtle Shell, Length 77cm

A large old turtle shell, 13 plates. Distressed. Length 77 cm

Turtle shell. Length 39 cm

39 cm Turtle Shell

Turtle shell. Length 39 cm

Tortoise shell, 43 cm long

Large Tortoise Shell, 43cm

Tortoise shell, 43 cm long

Turtle shell (length of 45 cm)

45 cm Turtle Shell

Turtle shell (length of 45 cm)

A large snapping turtle shell, Victorian era.

Victorian Snapping Turtle Shell

A large snapping turtle shell, Victorian era.

Sea turtle shell. Some delamination. Estate late Douglas…

Delaminated Sea Turtle Shell - 62cm Length

Sea turtle shell. Some delamination. Estate late Douglas Osborne Hawke. Length 62 cm

A vintage turtle shell, in polish, length 42 cm.

Polished Vintage Turtle Shell - 42cm Length

A vintage turtle shell, in polish, length 42 cm.

A vintage tortoise shell, 1940s, sourced Papua New, Guinea,…

1940s Papua New Guinea Tortoise Shell - Vintage Collectible

A vintage tortoise shell, 1940s, sourced Papua New, Guinea, length 50 cm, width 42 cm

An antique turtle shell

Vintage Turtle Shell

An antique turtle shell

A pair of sea turtle shells, length 39 cm and 41 cm

Sea Turtle Shells: Lengths of 39cm and 41cm

A pair of sea turtle shells, length 39 cm and 41 cm

Small green sea turtle shell, length 43 cm

43 cm Green Sea Turtle Shell

Small green sea turtle shell, length 43 cm

Turtle shell of small proportions and curved with 'Sawtooth'…

Sawtooth Shell: Petite and Curved

Turtle shell of small proportions and curved with 'Sawtooth' edge. Length 33 cm

Large sea turtle shell carapace length 61 cm

61 cm Carapace: A Large Sea Turtle's Shell

Large sea turtle shell carapace length 61 cm

Antique framed portrait, over painted gelatin photograph,…

Tortoise Shell Framed Antique Portrait

Antique framed portrait, over painted gelatin photograph, framed in simulated tortoise shell

Vintage turtle shell

Vintage Turtle Shell Collectible

Vintage turtle shell

Two tortoise shell cigarette cases

Tortoise Shell Cigarette Cases

Two tortoise shell cigarette cases

A large turtle shell, the thirteen main plates displaying rich…

Mottled Turtle Shell - 59cm Length

A large turtle shell, the thirteen main plates displaying rich butterscotch to dark brown mottling. Loss to one margin plate. Length 59 cm

Vintage Tortoise shell, 48 cm long approx

48cm Vintage Tortoise Shell Necklace

Vintage Tortoise shell, 48 cm long approx

Small green sea turtle shell, length 43 cm

43cm Green Sea Turtle Shell

Small green sea turtle shell, length 43 cm

Antique turtle shell specimen, 45 cm

45 cm Antique Turtle Shell Specimen

Antique turtle shell specimen, 45 cm

Three tortoise shells, 12 cm long, 9.5 cm long, 7.5 cm long, (3)

Three Tortoise Shells of Varying Lengths

Three tortoise shells, 12 cm long, 9.5 cm long, 7.5 cm long, (3)

A Victorian era hawksbill turtle shell.

Victorian Hawksbill Turtle Shell

A Victorian era hawksbill turtle shell.

A large old polished turtle shell, 14 plates. Some border…

Vintage 14-Plate Turtle Shell - 70cm Length

A large old polished turtle shell, 14 plates. Some border distress. Length 70 cm

Antique turtle shell of large proportions in dark and light…

Large Antique Turtle Shell with Dark and Light Spots

Antique turtle shell of large proportions in dark and light spots. Size 70 cm x 53 cm

A green sea turtle shell, l46 cm

Green Sea Turtle Shell - 46cm Long

A green sea turtle shell, l46 cm

A turtle shell, length 36 cm

36 cm Turtle Shell

A turtle shell, length 36 cm

Large sea turtle shell of large proportions and featuring spots.…

Spotted Giant: 90cm Sea Turtle Shell

Large sea turtle shell of large proportions and featuring spots. Length 90 cm x 70 cm

Sea turtle shell, circa 1930s. Length 45 cm

1930s Sea Turtle Shell (45 cm)

Sea turtle shell, circa 1930s. Length 45 cm

A large sea turtle shell, length 56 cm

56 cm Sea Turtle Shell

A large sea turtle shell, length 56 cm

South Pacific turtle shell ex Fiji. Condition: fair, some…

Fijian Turtle Shell, Restored, 44.5 cm

South Pacific turtle shell ex Fiji. Condition: fair, some apparent restoration, hole to the rear. Length 44.5 cm

A sea turtle shell, 19th century, 55 x 42 cm,

19th Century Sea Turtle Shell, 55 x 42 cm

A sea turtle shell, 19th century, 55 x 42 cm,

A sea turtle shell, 42 x 37 cm. Provenance: Collection of The…

Sea Turtle Shell from Worthington Collection

A sea turtle shell, 42 x 37 cm. Provenance: Collection of The Late Geoffrey Maxwell Worthington

A sea turtle shell, 54 x 41 cm. Provenance: Collection of The…

Max Worthington's Sea Turtle Shell

A sea turtle shell, 54 x 41 cm. Provenance: Collection of The Late Geoffrey Maxwell Worthington

A large turtle shell, the thirteen plates displaying rich…

Butterscotch Mottled Turtle Shell - 69cm Length

A large turtle shell, the thirteen plates displaying rich butterscotch to black mottling, small loss to one marginal plate. Length 69 cm

A sea turtle shell, 43 x 40 cm

Large Sea Turtle Shell

A sea turtle shell, 43 x 40 cm

A large turtle shell, the thirteen main plates displaying rich…

Mottled Turtle Shell - 59cm Length

A large turtle shell, the thirteen main plates displaying rich butterscotch to dark brown mottling. Small loss, length 59 cm.

A large turtle shell, the thirteen main plates displaying rich…

Mottled Turtle Shell - 63cm

A large turtle shell, the thirteen main plates displaying rich butterscotch to dark brown mottling, in good polish, length 63 cm.

A sea turtle shell, early 20th century 44 x 37 cm

Early 20th Century Sea Turtle Shell

A sea turtle shell, early 20th century 44 x 37 cm

Green sea turtle shell with recognisable teardrop shaped…

50 cm Green Sea Turtle Shell with Teardrop Carapace

Green sea turtle shell with recognisable teardrop shaped carapace and interlocking scutes, length 50 cm

A large turtle shell, the thirteen plates depicting golden to…

Golden Butterscotch Turtle Shell

A large turtle shell, the thirteen plates depicting golden to brown butterscotch patterns, some losses to marginal shutes. Length 61 cm

Two fishing lures, Solomon Islands, with a mother of pearl…

Solomon Islands Fishing Lures with Mother of Pearl and Tortoise Shell

Two fishing lures, Solomon Islands, with a mother of pearl shank and a tortoise shell barb lashed to the shank with fine woven fibre. Largest length 10 cm, width 1.7 cm, depth 2.2 cm

Antique taxidermy large tortoise shell

Antique Tortoise Shell Taxidermy

Antique taxidermy large tortoise shell

A tortoise shell 40 x 39 cm

Large Tortoise Shell: 40 x 39 cm

A tortoise shell 40 x 39 cm

Antique sea turtle shell, Art Of Queensland, painted by…

Aboriginal-Painted Antique Sea Turtle Shell from Queensland

Antique sea turtle shell, Art Of Queensland, painted by Aboriginal elder, Yarrahba near cairns, 1.1m in length

Y, A framed Hawksbill turtle shell, 44 x 40 cm

Hawksbill Turtle Shell: A Framed Masterpiece (44 x 40 cm)

Y, A framed Hawksbill turtle shell, 44 x 40 cm

A sea turtle shell, early 20th century. 46 x 41 cm

Early 20th Century Sea Turtle Shell

A sea turtle shell, early 20th century. 46 x 41 cm

A large turtle shell, painted with traditional Polynesian…

Polynesian Turtle Shell Art

A large turtle shell, painted with traditional Polynesian designs, (some old damage). 60 x 78 cm

Sea turtle shell, early 20th century. Length 70 cm

Antique Sea Turtle Shell, 20th Century

Sea turtle shell, early 20th century. Length 70 cm

Tortoise shell with laquered interior. Length 41 cm

Lacquered Tortoise Shell: 41cm

Tortoise shell with laquered interior. Length 41 cm

A small vintage tortoise shell, 40 cm long, 34 cm wide

Vintage Tortoise Shell: Petite and Timeless Decor Piece

A small vintage tortoise shell, 40 cm long, 34 cm wide

A large old polished turtle shell, 13 plates. Some damage to…

Large 13-Plate Turtle Shell with Marginal Damage, 70cm Long

A large old polished turtle shell, 13 plates. Some damage to the marginal plates. Length 70 cm.

A turtle shell, 64 x 58 cm

Turtle Shell: 64 x 58 cm

A turtle shell, 64 x 58 cm

Fine antique 19th century tortoise shell and ivory slope top…

Antique Tortoise Shell and Ivory Needle Case

Fine antique 19th century tortoise shell and ivory slope top needle case, approx 6 cm high, 7 cm wide, 6 cm deep

Antique 90 cm turtle shell

Rare 90cm Antique Turtle Shell

Antique 90 cm turtle shell

A collection of tortoise shell brushes and a hair implements,…

Tortoise Shell Brush Set with Silver Inlay

A collection of tortoise shell brushes and a hair implements, 19th century, all brushes have silver 'Hare bell? motif inlaid decoration

An impressive, large turtle shell, the thirteen main plates…

Mottled Turtle Shell, 87 cm

An impressive, large turtle shell, the thirteen main plates with tones of butterscotch to dark brown mottling, one margin plate absent. Length 87 cm.

Large turtle shell

Giant Turtle Shell

Large turtle shell

Very large turtle shell

Giant Turtle Shell

Very large turtle shell

A large old turtle shell, semi-polished matt finish, some minor…

Vintage Turtle Shell, 1000mm Length

A large old turtle shell, semi-polished matt finish, some minor losses. Length approx. 1000.

An impressive, old, large turtle shell, the thirteen main…

An impressive, old, large turtle shell, the thirteen main plates with tones of butterscotch to dark brown mottling, one margin plate absent. 60 x 79 cm.

A large turtle shell, 64 x 74 cm

Massive Turtle Shell: 64 x 74 cm

A large turtle shell, 64 x 74 cm

A large green sea turtle shell, length 75 cm

75 cm Green Sea Turtle Shell

A large green sea turtle shell, length 75 cm

A vintage turtle-shell, 52 cm long, 43 cm wide

Vintage Turtle-Shell: 52x43 cm

A vintage turtle-shell, 52 cm long, 43 cm wide

A large sea turtle shell, early 20th century well preserved and…

Lacquered 20th Century Sea Turtle Shell: Fine 13-Plate Preservation

A large sea turtle shell, early 20th century well preserved and lacquered, with a fine 13 plate shell, length 55 cm, width 46 cm

An antique sea turtle shell, late 19th, early 20th century, 49…

Antique Sea Turtle Shell, 19th/20th Century - 49x44cm

An antique sea turtle shell, late 19th, early 20th century, 49 x 44 cm

Large Pacific turtle shell. Length 87 cm

87 cm Pacific Turtle Shell

Large Pacific turtle shell. Length 87 cm

A large sea turtle shell, 71 x 64 cm

Massive Sea Turtle Shell: 71 x 64 cm

A large sea turtle shell, 71 x 64 cm

A sea turtle shell, early 20th century. 55 x 50 cm

Antique Sea Turtle Shell, 20th Century

A sea turtle shell, early 20th century. 55 x 50 cm

A turtle shell, 13 plates displaying rich butterscotch to dark…

Mottled Turtle Shell - 68 cm Length

A turtle shell, 13 plates displaying rich butterscotch to dark brown mottling. Length 68 cm

Green sea turtle shell, length 39 cm

39 cm Green Sea Turtle Shell

Green sea turtle shell, length 39 cm

Large sea turtle shell, 82 cm long approx

82cm Sea Turtle Shell

Large sea turtle shell, 82 cm long approx

A mounted tortoise shell

Mounted Tortoise Shell Decoration

A mounted tortoise shell

Two tropical freshwater turtle shells on stand, largest height…

Tropical Turtle Shells on Stand (33 cm)

Two tropical freshwater turtle shells on stand, largest height 33 cm

A large old tortoise shell, in old polish, minor losses. Length…

Antique Tortoise Shell: 82cm Length, Old Polish

A large old tortoise shell, in old polish, minor losses. Length 82 cm.

Two tortoise turtle shells, (2), length 69 cm, 45 cm

Two Turtle Shells: 69cm and 45cm Lengths

Two tortoise turtle shells, (2), length 69 cm, 45 cm

Anglo-Indian inlaid box made from a turtle shell, 19th century.…

19th Century Anglo-Indian Turtle Shell Inlaid Box

Anglo-Indian inlaid box made from a turtle shell, 19th century. Length 27 cm, width 17 cm, height 14 cm

A medium sized Gopher Polyphemus (Gopher tortoise) shell

Medium Gopher Polyphemus Tortoise Shell

A medium sized Gopher Polyphemus (Gopher tortoise) shell

A large Gopherus Polyphemus (Gopher tortoise) shell

Gopher Tortoise Shell

A large Gopherus Polyphemus (Gopher tortoise) shell

A turtle shell, mounted by Tony White in silver metal with…

Silver Turtle Shell Sculpture

A turtle shell, mounted by Tony White in silver metal with travertine plinth 46 cm high

A large turtle shell, length 750 cm, width 600 cm. Provenance:…

Large Turtle Shell from Swanton Estate

A large turtle shell, length 750 cm, width 600 cm. Provenance: Grafton Galleries, Ruschcutters bay, acquired from the above in 2005, from the contents of Swanton (built 1827), Sutton Forrest, NSW

A large tortoise shell carapace with all sections intact.…

Intact Tortoise Shell Carapace: Height 94cm, Width 86cm

A large tortoise shell carapace with all sections intact. Height 94 cm. Width 86 cm

A large turtle shell, 73 x 55 cm

Oversized Turtle Shell - 73 x 55 cm

A large turtle shell, 73 x 55 cm

Sea turtle shell of impressive proportions, 19th century, 88 x…

Giant 19th Century Sea Turtle Shell

Sea turtle shell of impressive proportions, 19th century, 88 x 67 cm

Arnold 'Thuganmu' Watt, painted Aboriginal design on a large…

Aboriginal Turtle Shell Painting by Arnold Watt (1994)

Arnold 'Thuganmu' Watt, painted Aboriginal design on a large turtle shell, signed below 1994, 90 x 65 cm

Three antique sea turtle shells. 37 cm to 45 cm long

Antique Sea Turtle Shells Collection

Three antique sea turtle shells. 37 cm to 45 cm long