From the mid 1850s the world of Victorian Taxidermy was born from the demand of the emerging middle-class Victorians who wanted to display newly-available natural history, show off their collections and above all, confer themselves status.
Nowadays the best examples of Victorian Taxidermy created by leading makers of the day like Ashmead, Ward, Gardner, Gerrard and Burton are sought after, fought over and treasured by collectors from all over the world.
Original research here at The Velvet Drawing Room uncovers the styles, stories and some of the ultimate masterpieces of the Victorian Taxidermists whose legacy endures.
