Blog Post

THE PERSONAL CHOICE – #5

  • by Barry Aucott
  • 10 Aug, 2017

Taxidermy

Welcome back to The Personal Choice! Yes it’s time for Issue #5 and I know, it’s been longer than anticipated to get things done and been a fair gap since the Last Blog Post.

However we are here now and it is getting done.

I would like to take the time to ask those of you for read this, to just leave a Comment, join in on the Discussion and let’s start some memories! That sounded as lovely, convoluted and corny as could be!

…Just the way I like it.

This is a Subject I’m sure most will have a good “Two Cents” about. I honestly don’t know how I feel about it, which is a daft thing to say given that I know exactly how I feel about it. But then nothing makes me happier than confusing folk. Good thing I deal with Customers.

So what is it about Taxidermy that is appealing? It certainly dates back as long as you would imagine and is an Art born out of the pride of Hunters.

 “Preserving animal skins has been practiced for a long time. Embalmed animals have been found with Egyptian mummies.

Although embalming incorporates the use of lifelike poses, it is not considered taxidermy. In the Middle Ages, crude examples of taxidermy were displayed by astrologers and apothecaries. The earliest methods of preservation of birds for natural history cabinets were published in 1748 by Reaumur in France. Techniques for mounting were described in 1752 by M. B. Stollas. There were several pioneers of taxidermy in France, Germany, Denmark and England around this time. For a while, clay was used to shape some of the soft parts, but this made specimens heavy.” – Wikipedia
 

Though Taxidermy goes back a long way, it really became a Fixture during the Victorian Era – 1920’s. John Hancock is considered the “father” of Modern taxidermy, by reducing the more crude methods of the art and perfecting something that would look much more lifelike.

This new enhanced method of Taxidermy and the results it produced became rather popular. Not only to be exhibited, but to become something many would include in their own homes.

 

Taxidermy has gone through many variations as you would imagine, everything from just displaying your “prize” as a Trophy to then creating scenes as “Anthropomorphic taxidermy” like putting Animals in a Human context, such as a Rabbit School.

Rogue Taxidermy is something that peaks my interest, I don’t think it should. People would artificially add extras onto Animals, or indeed use various different Animals and put them together to create strange creatures, usually those of Myth and Legend.

The Jackalope, Griffin, Mermaids etc.

Though this isn’t viewed as true Taxidermy, it obviously is an Evolution of the Art.

Which brings us to Astra Antiques, we house many Taxidermy creatures through-out our Centre and Taxidermy items seems to be on the rise once more.

But as you would imagine, such a thing as Taxidermy is obviously met with a lot of controversy and dislike – rightfully so.

Where do I stand on Taxidermy?

Personally, I find it a little creepy. As someone who needs to handle the items and photograph them, I’m not a huge fan, but I am hugely fascinated.

How often do you get to see these Creatures, this close, in their almost truest glory? As someone who enjoys Photography and nature, being able to be that close and take those Photo’s was quite a treat.

So my final judgement comes down to where I believe most would be, I have no problems with Taxidermy, should the Animal died of natural causes. I don’t like Hunting and I dislike the idea that Animals would be hunted purely for this need, to me, that is an irrelevant, destructive cause.

 

Though what’s done is done, my personal favourite Taxidermy pieces we have here at Astra would be the Ferret (who is now sold) – though I dislike that he is portrayed aggressively, where Ferrets are actually rather tame, playful and loving creatures – should they be domesticated. If they are used for Hunting, then you might want to stay clear.

My absolute favourite would be the Genet – a create I actually wasn’t sure what it was, this took a little bit of Research and when you find them, see them, it’s hard not to love them.

Where do you stand on Taxidermy?

Do you have any?

Would you have any?

 

Let us know in the comments below and as always check out Astra-Antiques.com.

www.astra-antiques.com

info@astra-antiques.com


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