Such a strange yet common practice, taxidermy is used by many to preserve proud hunting trophies, loving pets, and other unique animal finds one would want to display and cherish. Now common to us, taxidermy had to have originated from somewhere. Have you ever given a thought to the history of taxidermy? Or have you ever wondered who first began preserving remains? Did you know taxidermy was a forgotten art until only a couple of centuries ago?
You may or may not be surprised to learn taxidermy is traced to ancient Egypt. Just like with body mummification, Egyptians practiced preserving animals as well. Taxidermy came with a high price and was only offered to the pets of the Pharaoh or other high-nobility figures. Upon burial, the Egyptians believed whatever you lied with would follow you into the afterlife. This often included personal belongings, items of comfort, weapons, treasures, and animals. The Egyptians practiced taxidermy using specific tools and oils, and the art has since transformed over time. From skin preservation to stuffing, taxidermy has varied through each civilization it has passed through. Strangely enough, the art wasn’t practiced for a couple of centuries until discovered again around the Victorian Era. Early taxidermy practices included stuffing the skins with a variety of materials. This poor practice resulted in an unnatural appearance for the animals. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, taxidermist techniques evolved and relied on more form-holding materials, like styrofoam and metal rods. The styrofoam acted as a mannequin for the animal, with the skin being wrapped around the materials, and the rods provided the stability needed. Stepping into the 20th century, new practices became common for taxidermy. Once the skin was removed, the animal was buried in the ground until composition was completed, then dug back up for bone extraction. Another solution that became popular around 1980 was using dermestid beetles to eat the flesh off animal remains.
Today, there are three popular forms of taxidermy in practice. “Convention taxidermy” is when the taxidermist uses real animal skin- after being tanned- and mounts it over a mannequin. The second method is freeze-drying the animal. This process, completed over a long period of time, removes all liquid and moisture in the body and preserves the body from decay. The freeze-dried method often allows for the most natural preservation process. The third method, mainly used for fish, creates a replica of the animal. Using pictures and measurements, the taxidermist replicates the animals often on resin or fiberglass structures.
From the time of the Egyptians to today, one thing stands true- we love preserving our prized possessions. If you are looking to bring your trophy back to life, give me a call at Tim Knight’s Taxidermy. My services include the North American Shoulder Mount, ducks, birds, and fish. Call me today at (919) 291- 6506.