The taxidermy of Peter Spicer

Peter Spicer is regarded as one of the greatest British taxidermists. He ran a large taxidermy company in Leamington Spa during the late 19th and early 20th century. His cased work is characterised by evocative painted backdrops and highly realistic bases made from papier-mache with items such as dried vegetation and real pebbles. Sadly, in the past, some owners removed their specimens from the original cases. Warwickshire Museum received a number of these uncased Spicers in the distant past.

In 2002 Warwickshire Museum commissioned a leading authority on Spicer taxidermy, Robert Chinnery, to re-case six uncased specimens. He has created some very sensitively designed cases that bring out the beauty of the specimens and their mounts. We have not attempted to re-create the painted backdrops, as these were unique.

View more fine examples of work by Peter Spicer & Co.