Victorian Taxidermy Resources

[itsstillmatt]

I'm pretty sure that I want to get a taxidermed cat head, probably lion, tiger or other large predator, to put over my fireplace. I think I'd like to get an antique, and while they are pretty easy to find in London, I don't feel like going through the importation of one. Does anybody know good sources for large antique taxidermed African cat heads in the US?

 

[Blackhood]

I don't, but I'd like to award you the prize for best question I've seen posed on SF.

 

[hossoso]

Great idea, I have been collecting rare animal skulls for years. My house is really creepy. Looks like there are plenty of taxidermy resources in the bay area, you might want to just try calling around.

 

[robin]

Originally Posted by hossoso

Great idea, I have been collecting rare animal skulls for years. My house is really creepy. Looks like there are plenty of taxidermy resources in the bay area, you might want to just try calling around.
Do you keep any specimens in jars of formaldehyde? Yes, calling around to local taxidermists is a good recommendation. Pieces also show up in flea markets and auctions with some regularity, but big game cats are rare.

 

[hossoso]

Originally Posted by robin

Do you keep any specimens in jars of formaldehyde?
I have what is called a 'suspended specimen', it's a shark in a large jar. I am not sure if it is suspended in formaldehyde though. I also have a cobra suspended in some sort of Vietnamese liquor. If you are interested in this sort of thing, a man in Greenwood has the largest private collection of pickled punks in the country (I'm guessing some natural history museums have him outclassed but I can't imagine how). You can only see it by invitation but it is definitely an interesting experience. I'll ask him what his rules are regarding regular viewing next time I run into him.

 

[JayJay]

There used to be an antiques store near Noblesville, Indiana that carried very exotic items. The quality of the items was extremely high, and most were rare finds. I recall seeing all sorts of Victorian taxidermy, some encased in glass. Unfortunately, the shop has been gone for several years.

 

[crazyquik]

This will be much harder than you may expect. Shoulder mounts of cats are not very popular in the US. Full body mounts or rugs are much more common. Figure 7-10k for a full body lion. If your walls are tall enough, you could hang a lion pelt rug above the fireplace. Those are about 2-6k usually. I suppose some rugs (like this below) may be able to be converted into a shoulder mount.

They occasionally turn up on ebay and craigslist. Of course, you'd have to use some other site to search all of craigslist, nationally, at one time. The best prices will be in the most inefficient markets; flea markets, antique stores, and estate auctions.

It will be particularly hard to find vintage mounts. There just weren't that many of them done to begin with. The ones that are left usually look pretty ratty. I suspect you want something like the MGM lion, with a really nice mane. Finding a vintage specimen of that would be . . . pretty hard.

Safari Club International or the Dallas Safari Club may be able to help. The easiest (and most memorable) would be to just go to South Africa and shoot a lion yourself. Some people will tell you that the sale of any CITES listed taxidermy, across state lines, will get you in trouble with USFWS. Perhaps even within Californistan. I have never looked into the details of sales of taxidermy though, much less exotics.

You can easily and legally get a new black bear shoulder mount for $700. Add $100 for the mouth being open.

 

[CDFS]

Originally Posted by crazyquik

This will be much harder than you may expect. Shoulder mounts of cats are not very popular in the US. Full body mounts or rugs are much more common. Figure 7-10k for a full body lion. If your walls are tall enough, you could hang a lion pelt rug above the fireplace. Those are about 2-6k usually. I suppose some rugs (like this below) may be able to be converted into a shoulder mount.

They occasionally turn up on ebay and craigslist. Of course, you'd have to use some other site to search all of craigslist, nationally, at one time. The best prices will be in the most inefficient markets; flea markets, antique stores, and estate auctions.

It will be particularly hard to find vintage mounts. There just weren't that many of them done to begin with. The ones that are left usually look pretty ratty. I suspect you want something like the MGM lion, with a really nice mane. Finding a vintage specimen of that would be . . . pretty hard.

Safari Club International or the Dallas Safari Club may be able to help. The easiest (and most memorable) would be to just go to South Africa and shoot a lion yourself. Some people will tell you that the sale of any CITES listed taxidermy, across state lines, will get you in trouble with USFWS. Perhaps even within Californistan. I have never looked into the details of sales of taxidermy though, much less exotics.

You can easily and legally get a new black bear shoulder mount for $700. Add $100 for the mouth being open.

Let me be the first to say something restrictive and pose this is the only way. It's a hunters trophy. If you didn't shoot it, you shouldn't showcase it.

 

[Cary Grant]

--

 

[itsstillmatt]

Originally Posted by CDFS

Let me be the first to say something restrictive and pose this is the only way. It's a hunters trophy. If you didn't shoot it, you shouldn't showcase it.

Ridiculous. I wouldn't kill an animal like that, but if one was dead already, and for a hundred or so years, why the hell not enjoy it?

 

[GQgeek]

I don't understand why you want this.

 

[itsstillmatt]

Originally Posted by GQgeek

I don't understand why you want this.

I'm not looking for something I killed, geek, I am looking for something awesome:

 

[voxsartoria]

Why limit yourself to land?

Cast your net into the sea, my friend.

How about a predator fish?

I think it can be programmed to say what you want, like, "Kwilk, stop jizzing into my navy sock in the guestroom!" Stuff like that.

If not fierce enough, and you are really set on a predator, why not the Predator?

You've got family connections in the biz...I'm sure it can be done.

Good ideas, right?

- B

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by GQgeek

I don't understand why you want this.

The OP (iammatt) is all about making his guests feel uncomfortable so that they will leave as soon as possible.

I would suggest nude hosting, but in his town, that won't do it.


- B

 

[crazyquik]

Finders fee?

http://www.antique-taxidermy.com/pag...p?pageCatID=51

Appears to be in the UK though