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Home » Physical Environment/Landscape » Natural history » Taxidermy

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Bryn-y-Pys Hall, Overton: south-east room off tower entrance, 1956
  • Turnspit dogs were in use until the middle of the 19th century as a tool to save cooks in large households the effort of turning meat on a spit by hand. The dog would be placed in a small wheel connected to the spit and as he ran the spit would be turned. In order not to overexert a dog with this hot and unpleasant work they were often kept in pairs, so that they could be worked in shifts. It is believed that this is the origin of the proverb 'every dog has his day.' 'Whiskey' is the last surviving specimen of a turnspit dog, albeit stuffed. The breed appears to have died out with the advent of mechanisation in the kitchen. Source: Cunliffe, J (1991) 'The Turnspit'. Kennel Gazette, pp. 20-22.
"Whiskey" the turnspit dog, 19th century
Three albino moles found on the Llangattock estate [image 1 of 2]
  • Seagull Taxidermist: J. Hutchings of Aberystwyth (1903) Case: open-sided case; gilded frame inserts; no feet and square corners; good condition Date: 1903 Dimensions: height x width x depth: 41 x 41 x 15 cms Description: Ceredigion Museum
Seagull: taxidermy by J. Hutchings of Aberystwyth, 1903 [image 1 of 2]
  • Ferret ('mustela furo') Taxidermist: Jefferies of Carmarthen Case: varnished oak case which was typical of Jefferies' work Dimensions: height x width x depth: 57 x 40.5 x 22 cms In certain parts of Britain the ferret has long been used as a working animal, being sent underground to flush out rabbits from their warrens. The ferret is generally much paler than the polecat, from which it was originally bred. It bears a great resemblance to the steppe polecat of the Asiatic plains. Even after many generation of breeding in captivity it can only really be semi-domesticated and many escape and live in the wild. Description: Ceredigion Museum
Ferret: taxidermy
  • Examples of the work of the taxidermist J. Hutchings and sons, Aberystwyth, c. 1860-1940s.
J. Hutchings and sons, taxidermists of Aberystwyth