Hunting Trophy Shield Mount
These hunting trophy shield mounts are timber plaques built to display animal heads and horns upon walls.
Hunting Trophy Shield Mount
A hunting trophy shield mount typically presents taxidermy heads and horns fixed to carved timber plaques. Pieces span from the late nineteenth century through to the mid-twentieth century, capturing Victorian and Edwardian sporting traditions alongside Highland Lodge aesthetics.
The selection here includes mounted red deer antlers, roe deer, stags, and gazelle alongside fox masks and hounds. Oak and carved wood provide the traditional backing boards designed for wall decor in country houses.
Originating in British sporting culture, these taxidermy wall mounts reflect the methods of preservation favoured by period practitioners. Stags heads and antelope horns dominate the forms encountered.
Materials and construction
Construction relies heavily upon carved oak and timber panels shaped as shields to support the weight of the specimens. Taxidermy hides, bone, antler, and horn form the biological elements mounted to these wooden backings.
Among the historic hounds recorded is Dairy Maid, a fox hound preserved by a famous Victorian taxidermist.
Assessing quality
Quality rests in the sculptural modelling of the taxidermy work and the depth of carving on the wooden shield mount. Well-executed specimens capture realistic posture and expression in the animal heads, whereas simpler pieces lack anatomical precision.
The execution of the timber shield itself indicates the standard of the piece, with deeper relief carving and superior joinery distinguishing finer examples from plain boards. The scale and point count of antlers also influence the visual impact.
Peter Spicer·Peter Spicer and Sons
The Hunting Trophy Shield Mount Glossary
- Shield mount
- A wooden plaque, often shaped like a heraldic shield, utilised to hang taxidermy trophies on a wall. These boards provide structural support for heavy antlers and animal heads.
- Antler points
- The individual branches or tines on a set of deer antlers, counted to describe the size of the trophy. A royal set possesses twelve distinct points.
- Highland Lodge
- A decorative style associated with Scottish sporting estates, featuring dark woods, animal mounts, and traditional textiles. This aesthetic shaped the presentation of nineteenth-century game.
Hunting Trophy Shield Mount: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean old taxidermy hide?
Dust the hair gently with a soft brush, working in the direction of the natural growth. Avoid water and chemical cleaning agents.
Professional conservation is recommended for deep cleaning or repairing damaged hide and hair on Victorian specimens.
What is a royal set of antlers?
A royal set refers specifically to red deer antlers possessing exactly twelve points across the beams. This term denotes a well-developed trophy from a mature stag.
Collectors look for symmetry and spread alongside the traditional twelve-point count when assessing red deer mounts.
Are these mounts from the Victorian period?
Many examples date from the late nineteenth century, including Victorian and Edwardian periods, while others extend into the twentieth century. The style reflects traditional British sporting culture.
Examination of the timber backing, fixings, and taxidermy style helps determine the exact era of production.