Norfolk Taxidermy

We get asked to recommend Bird Taxidermy Resources by our friends, we now include below a list of those we have had favourable feedback on this is not a complete list, if you don't find what your looking for then please feel free to contact us. If you also wish to link to us then your taxidermy information shall only be placed in the appropriate class.


We are interested in Purchasing Victorian Taxidermy, please respond via this on-line form of what you have for sale. HERE

Victorian label by J A Cole of Norwich, from the above case.

Victorian label by Roberts of Norwich.
European Bittern by Roberts of Norwich.

Stone Curlew and Red Legged Partridge by John Sawyer of Nowich. TE Gunn was an apprentice to this man..
It is suggested that John Cole served as an apprentice to James Gardner in London before establishing is own firm in Norwich. Interesting to note that he did not execute his cases in a Gardner style, preferring the box case, flat fronted appearance of TE Gunn, taxidermist also who resided in Norwich around the same time.

Victorian trade label by TE Gunn.
Victorian case of a Water Rail by TE Gunn in summer plumage.
As well as the production of single specimens, habitat groups and large dioramas were also produced. Nests, eggs and chicks were also incorporated into the schemes; this is particularly evident when visiting the Ipswich bird museum which houses the work of TE Gunn, produced for FM Ogilvie, formerly of Sizewell Hall in Suffolk. This collection of mainly local birds was produced between 1880-1916. The collection was donated to the public and anyone can view it should they feel inclined to do so. The collection consists of some 235 cases and were mounted in a very similar style to the dioramas produced for ET Booth, in that the habitat re-creation was a close to the birds natural habitat and indeed may even had a direct representation to the actual spot that the birds were collected from. Each cases had a sketched drawing of the birds and where most likely they would be placed in each cases. Male and females of each species were mounted normally in breeding plumage. George Herd (1859-1940) worked for TE Gunn and much of the company’s reputation for quality and accuracy can be attributed to him.
For more information on taxidermy in this region, the best book you can source is the work by Christopher Frost, entitled “A History of British Taxidermy” dated 1987. This book covers most reputable Victorian taxidermists, with excellent images. It is a worthy read.

Walter Lowne, Great Yarmouth , Norfolk

It is understood that Walter Lowne was active from the 1870s until 1913, had a taxidermy shop on Fuller's Hill in Great Yarmouth.

Kestrel and Sparrowhawk by Lowne of Great Yarmouth. Victorian case. Walter Lowne, active from the 1870s until 1913, had a taxidermy shop on Fuller's Hill in Great Yarmouth. On January 1st 1902 an exhausted rail, cinnamon in colour and about the size of a Moorhen Gallinula chloropus landed on a small fishing boat off the Suffolk coast at Hopton-on-Sea. It was taken to nearby Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, where it was taken in by a local taxidermist, Mr Walter Lowne, and kept alive for two days. It is not clear if the bird then died of natural causes or was killed to be stuffed. The bird was identified with the aid of books and skins lent by a Professor Newton, in particular it was the plate in Dresser's Birds of Europe which apparently clinched the identification
Great Crested Grebes by Lowne.

Pair of Pike in bow fronted case by Lowne.

Barn Owls with chicks by Lowne.

Barn Owls with chicks by Lowne.

Barn Owls with chicks by Lowne.

Lable from the back of this case by Lowne.


30lb Pike dated 1897 by Lowne of Great Yarmouth.
Tuffted duck by Lowne of Great Yarmouth.
Stunning Spoonbill which looks like the work of Walter Lowne.

Red Squirrel by Walter Lowne. It was not uncommon for taxidermists of this era to dye the skins of Squirrels and Weasels to ensure that they did not lose colour.

Black Headed Gulls in Winter plumage by Lowne.

Victorian case of Barn Owl by Lowne of Great Yarmouth.
Victorian case of Roach by Lowne of Great Yarmouth.
Victorian case of Thrushes, mainly abberation, likely to be by Lowne of Yarmouth.
Victorian case of Nightingales by Lowne of Great Yarmouth.
Victorian Montague's Harriers by Lowne of Great Yarmouth.
Victorian label by W Lowne of Great Yarmouth.
Victorian Green Woodpecker by W Lowne of Great Yarmouth.
Victorian Red Squirrel by W Lowne of Great Yarmouth.
Victorian Red Squirrel by W Lowne of Great Yarmouth.
Victorian Montague's Harriers in close up by Lowne of Great Yarmouth.
European Little Auk by Lowne of Gt Yarmouth.
Victorian label by W Lowne of Great Yarmouth.
Victorian Snipe by Lowne of Gt Yarmouth
Victorian Woodcock by Lowne of Gt Yarmouth

Whimbrels at a water scene by either TE Gunn or Lowne of Great Yarmouth.



Bittern by Lowne of Yarmouth.



Great Crested Grebes by Lowne of Yarmouth.


Victorian Label by D Newby of Thetford, Norfolk.
Victorian label by H.G.Hudson of Ipswich.
Victorian case of a Bittern by Pashley of Cley.
Victorian case of a Bittern by Pashley of Cley.
Curlew and Whimbrel by H.N.Pashley of Cley, Norfolk.
European Victorian Buzzard by Pashley of Cley in Norfolk.
Book on the subject of H.N Pashley of Cley. Beautiful example.
Victorian label by H.N Pashley of Cley. Beautiful example.
Victorian case label by H.H.Kew from Louth in Norfolk. Notice that taxidermy was just a side line.

Shelduck by Clarke of Snittisham, Norfolk 1912

Victorian Shelduck by Clarke of Snettisham.
Victorian Cuckoo by Clarke of Snettisham, Norfolk. Lable to the rear and a pictureframe case.

Victorian label by HH Kew of Louth.

Edward Charles Saunders of Great Yarmouth , Norfolk

According to Chris Frosts book dated 1987, the earliest records of Edward Charles Saunders appears to be around 1896 and it is suggested that this company produced cases until around 1930. No fixed dates could be assertained unfortunatley. Saunders work is very much in the style of TE Gunn / Lowne in both the groundwork, backgrounds and also the quality of the birds that have been mounted. However Saunders was less prolific, it is unclear as to whether he had employees or not. He was a man of science and regularly assisted naturlists with species indentification and also providing specimens to musuems across the UK. Saunder's fish and mammal work tended to be of a lesser quality than the mounted birds produced . Like Lowne Saunders also kept a record of the species taken, the date and location of each bird. It is also understood that as a young man Saunders would make regular visit to Lowne's taxidermy shop and therefore the influence of this Norfolk taxidermist cannot be discounted and or underestimated. Like most other Norfolk taxidermists the preference to use box cases is obvious, hence why so many excellent specimens survive in such good condition.

Potrait of E.C.Saunders of Great Yarmouth. The Cattle Egret pictured here was donated to Booth and it now resides in the Booth Museum in Brighton. E.T.Booth had regular dealings with the like of TE Gunn, E.C.Saunders and Pashley, who assisted him in collecting species from Breydon Water, a popular hunting ground for migrant birds blown in on storms and winter migrations. Therefore it is not uncommon to find birds provided by these naturalists, but set up either by themselves and or E.Pratt for his personal colection.

Victorian Cattle Egret, shot on Breydon Water in 1909. This bird was purchased by collector JB Nichols, who upon his death in 1909 it was presented to the Booth musuem, the case as set up in the photograph.

Interesting bill from Dack of Holt (1889) a little known regional taxidermist.It relates to the sale of a caseof nine birds to a J Saunders, perhaps a relative of E.C.Saunders of Great Yarmouth. Charles Dack of Holt in north Norfolk ran a tobacconist’s shop for about forty years around the turn of the century, with which occupation he combined taxidermy. He also caught wild birds with a clap-net to sell in his shop: a Chaffinch cost one shilling, and a cock siskin, complete with cage, five shillings. He was a keen breeder of cage birds, and believed you had to be able to cross-breed species in order to qualify as a fancier. He once succeed in crossing a Bullfinch with a canary, and turned down the local parson’s offer of £5 for it. A village policeman in Norfolk today, who is a descendant of Charles Dack, says that Dack discovered a cure for foot and mouth disease: unfortunately he never imparted it to anyone, and his secret went to the grave with him. Dack was a competent taxidermist, unlike many for whom taxidermy was not their sole means of support. His work is represented in the Booth Museum in Brighton in the form of a case containing a pair of Sparrowhawks with their nest and eggs.’
European Avocet by Saunders of Great Yarmouth.
European Waxwings by Saunders of Great Yarmouth.
Victorian Chubb and Pike by Saunders
Female Red Crested Pochard, by Saunders of Great Yarmouth.
Lable by Saunders of Great Yarmouth from the above case.

Bar Tailed Godwit by Saunders of Yarmouth.


European Long Eared Owl by Bennet of Norwich.
Modern case of Barn Owls by Bennet of Norwich.

Thomas Edward Gunn, Taxidermist, Norwich, Norfolk

1844 until 1923
Thomas Edward Gunn.
Thomas Gunn was the largest taxidermy business in Norwich and was based in St. Giles Street. Competitors included Cole of Norwich and Roberts of Norwich. He ran the business from 1844-1923 bearing his name. His son, Frederick (FE Gunn) retired from his fathers business in 1941 aged 72. The firm closed its doors in 1950, ending nearly 100 years of continuous trading.
TE Gunn cases tended to follow a very similar pattern of ebonised pine cases lined with paper, which was then either left plain or subtley painted a light blue. These cases were in the main "flat fronted", with only glass at the front. That said, wall hanging domes and multi-sided glass cases were also produced but the "mass production" for want of a better word was flat fronted cases.
Thomas Gunn died on the 13th July 1923 fro pneumonia at the age of seventy eight. He was buried alongside his wife who died some 30 years earlier. The business, along with company stock, medals and guns was wiled to his son Frederick Ernest Gunn, who continued the family profession until circa 1942. Another of Thomas sons EW Gunn continued to work in both Ipswich and Bristol. These cases are more scarce as a result but they still retain the distinctive gun style of case and groundwork.

Perhaps a unique pair of Hobby's perched within a Scott's Pine, by the Victorian Taxidermist TE Gunn. Not for sale now, for perhaps another 20 years. It is unlikely that a another case of Hobby's by this famous makers survives. This case is dated July 29th 1887 on the reverse and within the lable, in the handwriting of TE Gunn himself, depicting where and by whom the birds were obtained. Many Victorian taxidermist did employ "bird catchers" and the above are an example of this profession
Victorian case of a Barnacle Goose by TE Gunn in summer plumage.
Pair of Little Terns, one summer and one winter plumage by TE Gunn. These birds sold today at auction. You know where to look so to speak.
This case is dated July 29th 1887 in the handwriting of TE Gunn, depicting where and by whom the birds were obtained.Many Victorian taxidermist did employ "bird catchers" and the above are an example of this profession.
Victorian case of a Red Throated Diver by TE Gunn in summer plumage.
White Pelican by TE Gunn. Victorian case.
Drake Wigeon by TE Gunn. Victorian case.
Victorian case of a Roach by TE Gunn .
Victorian Otter with prey by TE Gunn. Victorian case.
Barn Owl and Long Eared Owl by TE Gunn. Victorian case.
Abberation Pheasants by TE Gunn. Victorian case.
Canary by TE Gunn. Very rare Victorian case.
Sparrow Hawk by TE Gunn..

Trout by FE Gunn of Norwich.



Label by FE Gunn of Norwich.


European Nightjars and chicks by TE Gunn. Victorian case.

European Bull Finches, nest and chicks by TE Gunn. Victorian case.

Common Terns by TE Gunn. Diorama contains nests, chicks and eggs. Victorian taxidermy case

Spoonbills by TE Gunn. Victorian case.
Barn Owl by TE Gunn of Norwich. This bird is over 100 years old.
Tawny Owl by TE Gunn of Norwich.
Victorian trade label by TE Gunn..

European Otter by TE Gunn. Victorian case.

European Buzzard by TE Gunn. Victorian case.
Victorian case of a Common Guillemott by TE Gunn.
Victorian case of a European Heron by TE Gunn.
Victorian Hobby by TE Gunn.
Victorian Rough Legged Buzzard by TE Gunn.
Victorian Peregrine Falcon by FE Gunn.
Victorian Cattle Egret by FE Gunn.
Victorian Kngfisher by TE Gunn.
Victorian Nightjar by TE Gunn.
Victorian Chough by TE Gunn.
Victorian Purple Gallinule by TE Gunn.
Victorian Bittern by TE Gunn.
Victorian Bittern by TE Gunn. This birds case been recased.
Immature Cuckoo by E W Gunn of Ipswich.
Label by E W Gunn of Ipswich for the above case.
Label by E W Gunn of Ipswich for the above case.
Victorian case of a Sparrowhawk by TE Gunn.

Weasel in ermin by TE Gunn. Victorian case.

European Badger with new born cubs by TE Gunn. Victorian case.

Fine pair of Bearded Tits (Reed Pheasants) by TE Gunn. Victorian case.
Female Red Crested Pochard, by TE Gunn.

Great Crested Grebe by TE Gunn. Victorian case.

little Grebe of Dabchick by TE Gunn. Victorian case.
Gunn also produced three sided glass cases and also wall domes and of course cased fish. Domes tend to be rarer, as you can imagine not many survive 100 plus years of general wear and tear. The mounts in domes tend to fade more readily as they exposed to sunlight from all sides. The groundwork however was universally similar. Branches were used but mainly the specimen was exhibited upon a earth mound within the case. The flat fronted cases did much to preserve the work as they tended to shield the subject from direct sunlight. Hence why sometimes TE Gunn cases give the appearence of being "fake", as they retain much of their original colour. The quality of the taxidermy and their own style makes them hard to copy truly effectively.
We have listed below a small selection of the work carried out by the Gunn family. We hope you enjoy it. We would also welcome any pictures or information relating to the taxidermy work carried out by the Gunn family.

One of the last Taxidermists to work for the Gunn family in Norwich was Fred Ashton. Any information pertaining to Mr Fred Aston would be most welcome Of course we would also welcome the opportunity to buy such cases by TE Gunn and FE Gunn.


Tawny Owl by TE Gunn. Victorian case.

European Waxwings by TE Gunn. Victorian case.

Sparrowhawk by TE Gunn. Victorian case.
North Atlantic Fulmers and egg by TE Gunn

North Atlantic Gannet by TE Gunn

Pair of Great Crested Gebes by TE Gunn

Red Crested Pochard by TE Gunn. Perhaps one of the finest cases outside of the Olgivie Museum.
Shellducks by George Herd of the TE Gunn company. Victorian case

Ring Ouzel by TE Gunn. Victorian case

Domestic Duck, could be an India Runner by TE Gunn of Norwich. This bird is over 100 years old.

Victorian English Perch 4lb in weight, which is not a small fish even by modern standards. This fish was preserved by TE Gunn, circa 1880.

Common Teal by TE Gunn. Victorian case


Victorian Bittern by TE Gunn in a Winter scene.The ice pictured in this scene is made from hand blown glass. This is the same for the Woodcock case also on this page.

Collard Doves and eggs by TE Gunn

Stone Curlew and Lapwing by TE Gunn and FE Gunn. One of the few cases where father and son collaborated to produce a case.

Typical trade label for cases by TE Gunn, 1851 onwards, following his medal award at the Great Exhibition of 1851.

Great Crested Grebes by TE Gunn

Kingfishers in wall Hanging dome by TE Gunn


Simply stunning Short Eared Owl by TE Gunn of Norwich, Norfolk.

Victorian case of a Stoat with Snipe prey by TE Gunn

Great Crested Grebe by FE Gunn. This is the finest Great Crested Grebe's I have ever seen. The Grebe is floating on glass that resembles water. Most Victorian grebes are incorrectly mounted as if Penguins. FE Gunn has made a true representation of the bird as if the bird was still alive. The Grebe pictured here is about 100 years old

Trade label for the Great Crested Grebe by FE Gunn, as pictured above.

Victorian Hobbies by TE Gunn
Victorian Common Snipe by TE Gunn
English Nightjar by TE Gunn.
Victorian Eagle Owl by TE Gunn

Sea Birds by TE Gunn. Victorian. Copywrite Dave Chapman

Little Owl by TE Gunn. Victorian case. A very rare and early case by a famous Norfolk taxidermist. Little Owls are an introduced species in the UK. Numerous unsuccessful re-introduction attempts were made in 1814, 1842 and the 1870s. Between 1889-90, large numbers of Dutch little owls were released in Northamptonshire with considerable success, demonstrated today as they appear to be in every County.


Woodcock in Winter scene by TE Gunn of Norwich Norfolk. Victorian case with glass that has been made to represent ice in the scene.

Early example of a Red Phalarope in Winter plumage by TE Gunn (1844-1850). Victorian case, when TE Gunn provided cases to market under the lable "Fakenham of Lockwood". This case dates around 1844-1850

Taxidermy4Cash does not undertaken taxidermy, rather we are collectors of other people’s work, both current and historical we also offer web hosting, a search engine submission service and increasingly one of the larger article resource banks on the net. So if your keen to learn about Taxidermy etc, then you know where to look. We are always interested to here about new resource, if you feel a resource should be listed here then please contact us.

ITEMS WANTED. Please respond via this on-line form HERE with a description of what you have for sale.

[HOMEPAGE]

AJ Armitstead Barry Williams of Cannock David Keningale of Warrickshire Stereoviews of Taxidermy Modern Taxidermy Taxidermy Trade Labels Fish Taxidermy Scottish Taxidermy Reproduction Eggs Taxidermy in America Taxidermy in America II Taxidermy in America III Chicago Natural History Museum The Booth Collection The Booth II Collection The Booth III Collection The Booth IV Collection James Hutchings James Gardner

Rowland Ward Taxidermy Scientific Taxidermy Peter Spicer of Leamington Spa H T Shopland of Torquay T.E.Gunn of Norwich The Great Exhibition of 1851 Walter Potter Bass Rock Scotland Passenger Pigeon Countdown to Extinction UK Taxidermy Price Index Charles Darwin Taxidermy Wanted Taxidermy Housekeeping] Taxidermy Restoration] Trophies/Games mounts Hutchinson of Derby Taxidermy Jefferies of Carmarthen Taxidermy

Victorian Taxidermy Edwardian Taxidermy Fish Taxidermy Taxidermy Forums Museums containing taxidermy Taxidermy Guilds UK Taxidermists Taxidermy Articles Taxidermy Law Victorian Taxidermy Dealers Taxidermy Suppliers Hunting Birds Mammals Carl Ethan Akeley Abraham Dee Bartlett John James Audubon John Gould, "The Bird Man" Taxidermy Links

TaxidermyGallery TaxidermyGallery2 TaxidermyGallery3 TaxidermyGallery4 TaxidermyGallery5 TaxidermyGallery6 TaxidermyGallery7 TaxidermyGallery8 TaxidermyGallery9 TaxidermyGallery10 TaxidermyGallery11 TaxidermyGallery12 Fishing Field Sports The Four Elms Collection The Four Elms Collection II William Borrer H Murray of Carnforth Victorian Taxidermy

Taxidermy Links. Please double click on the Taxidermy link icon below.

Taxidermy Links