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Taxidermy

With a history rich in methodologies and cultural trends, taxidermy is somewhere between an art form and science. Nearly an abandoned enterprise in the late 20th century, taxidermy is making a comeback with a new generation of taxidermists eager to preserve the natural world.

Embalmed animals have been long been discovered in ancient Egyptian tombs. Taxidermy itself, however, has only existed since the Middles Ages. In the 1700s, methods were somewhat crude, with clay and cotton-wrapped wire used as stuffing under cured animal skins. During this time, Jean Baptist Becoeur developed arsenical soap to preserve skins and keep insects from destroying specimens. His methods were widely used across the next century and proved highly effective in preserving specimens. By the Victorian Era, animal mounts became popular as interior décor. Owning them not only displayed wealth but also cultural diversity and adventurism. In the late 1800s, taxidermy was so important that many U.S. and English towns had a taxidermist, just like they had barbers, butchers, and merchants.

Although the golden age of taxidermy ended around World War I, it remains important to those wanting their hunting and fishing successes put on permanent display. It’s also important for restoring museum displays and extracting DNA from specimens.


Quick Facts

  • The decline of taxidermy in the 20th century is attributed partly to the rise in photography and animal guide book availability as well as government-mandated wildlife preservation acts
  • Anthromorphic taxidermy is the practice of preserving animals and displaying them in a scene with human-like poses. Maxwell Potter is famous for this style of taxidermy
  • The oldest mount in history was supposedly a 16th century rhinoceros at the Royal Museum of Vertebrates in Florence, Italy. No evidence of the rhino exists today, and some dispel its existence as a myth

Recommended Items at Auction

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Large Black Bear Rug
Feb 22, 9:30 AM EST
Large Black Bear Rug
by Old Barn Auction
Est: $40- $1,000
$1256 Bids
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Montana Taxidermy Coyote Pelt Hide
Feb 07, 9:00 AM MST
Montana Taxidermy Coyote Pelt Hide
by Davis Brothers Auction
Est: $25- $50
$356 Bids
Taxidermy Tawny frogmouth owl on timber 40 cm high…
Feb 09, 9:00 AM AEDT
Taxidermy Tawny frogmouth owl on timber 40 cm high…
by Yarra Valley Auctions
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD1804 Bids
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AFRICAN CAPE ELAND SHOULDER MOUNT
Feb 06, 10:00 AM EST
AFRICAN CAPE ELAND SHOULDER MOUNT
by Cordier Auctions
Est: $200- $400
$1103 Bids
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AFRICAN KUDU SHOULDER MOUNT
Feb 06, 10:00 AM EST
AFRICAN KUDU SHOULDER MOUNT
by Cordier Auctions
Est: $200- $400
$603 Bids
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Collection of Taxidermy Snapping Turtle Skulls
Feb 08, 9:00 AM MST
Collection of Taxidermy Snapping Turtle Skulls
by Davis Brothers Auction
Est: $50- $75
$303 Bids
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Large Taxidermy Montana Buffalo Hide Robe Rug
Feb 08, 9:00 AM MST
Large Taxidermy Montana Buffalo Hide Robe Rug
by Davis Brothers Auction
Est: $500- $750
$203 Bids
Taxidermy Dueling Scorpion and Tarantula
Feb 08, 10:00 AM EST
Taxidermy Dueling Scorpion and Tarantula
by Atlanta Auction Gallery, ltd
Est: $100- $200
$252 Bids
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Antique Montana Ranch Found Cow Skull
Feb 06, 9:00 AM MST
Antique Montana Ranch Found Cow Skull
by Davis Brothers Auction
Est: $50- $75
$152 Bids
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Taxidermy Montana Black Bear Skull
Feb 08, 9:00 AM MST
Taxidermy Montana Black Bear Skull
by Davis Brothers Auction
Est: $100- $150
$302 Bids
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Montana Taxidermy Fox Skull
Feb 08, 9:00 AM MST
Montana Taxidermy Fox Skull
by Davis Brothers Auction
Est: $25- $50
$152 Bids
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GEMSBOK SHOULDER MOUN
Feb 06, 10:00 AM EST
GEMSBOK SHOULDER MOUN
by Cordier Auctions
Est: $200- $400
$502 Bids
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AFRICAN NYALA SHOULDER MOUNT
Feb 06, 10:00 AM EST
AFRICAN NYALA SHOULDER MOUNT
by Cordier Auctions
Est: $200- $400
$502 Bids
Taxidermy: a ram's head,
Feb 11, 10:00 AM GMT
Taxidermy: a ram's head,
by Sworders
Est: £300- £400
£2401 Bid
Taxidermy Polished Antelope Horn
Feb 08, 10:00 AM EST
Taxidermy Polished Antelope Horn
by Atlanta Auction Gallery, ltd
Est: $50- $150
$251 Bid
THREE RAINBOW TROUT MOUNTS 20th Century Lengths from 21" to 25".
Feb 12, 9:30 AM EST
THREE RAINBOW TROUT MOUNTS 20th Century Lengths from 21" to 25".
by Sandwich Auction House
Est: $100- $200
$501 Bid
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Montana Rattlesnake Skins
Feb 08, 9:00 AM MST
Montana Rattlesnake Skins
by Davis Brothers Auction
Est: $25- $50
$101 Bid
Black Timberwolf Full Body Taxidermy Yukon Territory
Feb 08, 10:00 AM EST
Black Timberwolf Full Body Taxidermy Yukon Territory
by Atlanta Auction Gallery, ltd
Est: $500- $1,500
$2501 Bid
Taxidermy Porcupine Puffer Fish
Feb 08, 10:00 AM EST
Taxidermy Porcupine Puffer Fish
by Atlanta Auction Gallery, ltd
Est: $25- $60
$101 Bid
Collection of Taxidermy Smalls & Amber Apothecary Jar
Feb 08, 10:00 AM EST
Collection of Taxidermy Smalls & Amber Apothecary Jar
by Atlanta Auction Gallery, ltd
Est: $50- $250
$251 Bid
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Taxidermy Jackalope Head
Feb 18, 10:00 AM EST
Taxidermy Jackalope Head
by Barry S. Slosberg Inc
Est: $150- $300
$751 Bid
Taxidermy Box Turtle Shell
Feb 08, 10:00 AM EST
Taxidermy Box Turtle Shell
by Atlanta Auction Gallery, ltd
Est: $25- $100
$101 Bid
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10 point buck White Tail Deer Mount
Feb 13, 6:00 PM EST
10 point buck White Tail Deer Mount
by Heritage Antiques & Auction
Est: $75- $150
$351 Bid

Sellers Who Sell Taxidermy


Atlanta Auction Gallery, ltd

Atlanta Auction Gallery, ltd

Davis Brothers Auction

Davis Brothers Auction

Cordier Auctions

Cordier Auctions

Barry S. Slosberg Inc

Barry S. Slosberg Inc