Taxidermy - Heritage Crafts |

Status

Currently viable

Craft category

Other

Historic area of significance

Area practiced currently

Origin in the UK

Late 18th century. Unsuccessful methods were attempted from the 16th century.

History

Taxidermy grew through the first half of the 19th century and fine examples were shown at the Great Exhibition after which it became very popular. By the First World War many homes from the highest to the very modest had pieces of taxidermy as interior decor/interest. After the First World War interest declined except for field sports fraternity. By the 1950s only two large firms in London and a very small number of solo operators remained and by the late 60s only one London firm. At this time there was renewed interest and numbers grew (mainly professionals) through the 70s and 80s.

In the 1990s taxidermy became a popular medium in modern art and fashion raising its popularity with newer audiences once again.

Today taxidermy is still created for science collections within museums and universities as well as for education, art, fashion, film and interior design. Since the early 2000’s there has been a movement among the newer generation of taxidermists to focus their work towards ethical practices and only working with animals that have died from natural causes.

Techniques

The skin of mammals and most reptiles are tanned to leather. Larger birds are also tanned but mostly bird skins are worked as rawhide. The taxidermist creates a solid sculpture of the animal’s anatomy using wire, bound wood-wool, clay, wax or plaster. Today rigid polyurethane foam and carved balsa wood is also used to create these forms. The taxidermist then mounts the preserved skin of the animal onto the form. The eyes are made from acrylic plastic or glass. Whilst fish and reptiles can be prepared using similar methods the preferred technique is to mould the actual specimen using silicone rubber and then make a replica with epoxy resin or similar. Once the taxidermy has dried any exposed skin (where no fur or feathers cover) will loose its colour such as around the eyes, inside the ears or on a birds legs. These areas are then painted to give a life-like appearance.

Taxidermy conservation and restoration is also part of the profession today, stabilising, cleaning and restoring historic taxidermy collections.

Local forms

Taxidermists have different strengths and specialisms.

Sub-crafts

Tanning, taxidermists tan mammal skins as well as some reptile and bird skins. They first pickle their skins and most use Alum tanning methods or commercial taxidermy brush on tanning solutions.
Model making, sculpting, carving and casting. Taxidermists create a sculpture of the muscular structure of the animal which sits under the skin. They also recreate plants for the groundwork of their dioramas. These are made using a wide variety of materials such as resin, clay, silk, paper and wax.

Carpentry. Many taxidermists make their own cases or bases.

Issues affecting the viability

Taxidermy is a craft straddling a wide variety of skills, mastering all of these requires many years of practice. There are no opportunities of apprenticeship to build this experience and so there are few taxidermists today who manage to get to a high standard or become full time within the profession. In the 1980s there were over 30 taxidermists employed in UK museums; there are now none and many of the museum taxidermists during that time have left the profession due to age and retirement. There are however short courses available that are run by independent taxidermists as well as conferences and seminars run by The Guild of Taxidermists. The main path to becoming a skilled taxidermist today is to practice as often as possible.

Support organisations

Craftspeople currently known

All practitioners are now independent sole traders. The Guild of Taxidermists has a list of current members with Guild qualifications on the FAQs page of its website. Most taxidermists find work through word of mouth recommendations.

References

The Guild of Taxidermists
Crafts Council – Jazmine Miles Long – https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/learning/craft-careers/craft-career-how-jazmine-miles-long-became-taxidermist
Crafts Council – How to become a taxidermist – https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/learning/craft-careers/how-become-taxidermist
NatSCA – What is Taxidermy? – https://natsca.blog/2023/08/24/what-is-taxidermy-an-intimate-relationship-between-death-and-maker/
Community Taxidermy Mentorship Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/taxidermymentorship/

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