How do I hang a heavy mount safely?

Heavy stags' heads and large antelope trophies require secure fixing directly into wall studs or masonry using heavy-duty brackets. The substantial weight of the oak shields and preserved bone demands robust hardware. Ensure the mounting wire or rear fixing point on the wooden shield is checked for stability before hanging. Professional installation is advisable for the largest nineteenth-century specimens.

How should I clean vintage taxidermy?

Dust mounted animals gently using a soft brush or a cool hairdryer on the lowest setting to remove surface particles without damaging the hide. Avoid using water or chemical cleaners on the hair and skin. Wooden shields can be wiped with a dry cloth and occasionally treated with appropriate wood maintenance products, taking care to avoid contact with the taxidermy hide.

Are these pieces from ethical sources?

The pieces available on this page originate from nineteenth and early twentieth-century collections, reflecting historical hunting practices and natural history enthusiasm of those eras. They represent antique artefacts and historical specimens rather than contemporary hunting trophies. Collectors preserve these historical taxidermy mounts as examples of period craftsmanship and natural history artistry.

How do I identify a Spicer mount?

Trophies by Peter Spicer & Sons often bear trade labels, stamps, or specific stylistic markers associated with their Royal Leamington Spa workshop. Their fox masks and mammal heads are recognised by particularly lifelike expressions and careful modelling. Documentation or stamps on the rear wooden shields frequently confirm the attribution to these prominent nineteenth and twentieth-century taxidermists.