Otter head
Peter Spicer and Sons
Category
Natural History / Taxidermy
Date
11 Jun 1929
Materials
Taxidermy otter head mounted on a wooden shield
Measurements
Shield: Height 255 mm.; Width 185 mm.
Place of origin
Royal Leamington Spa
Order this imageCollection
Parke Estate, Devon
NT 1413256
Caption
Otter hunting was a popular activity in which both men and women participated. It ceased in the 1960s when otter populations had severely declined (now recovering) due to the cumulative effects of pesticides. This trophy was mounted by Spicer’s of Leamington, fitting the skin over a solid plaster model. Thousands of these plaster ‘manikins’ were cast in an iron mould to ensure consistent quality and style, a method pioneered in Britain by this firm, starting about 1916. This example dates from 1929.
Summary
A stuffed otter head, mounted on a wooden shield, as a trophy. Below the head an inscription reads, 'D.O.H. Parke June 11th 1929' . 'P. Spicer and Sons, Taxidermists, Leamington' inscribed on the reverse. Fumigated 5.1.1982, methyl bromide.
Marks and inscriptions
On the front of the shield, below the stuffed otter head: D.O.H. Parke June 11th 1929 On reverse of shield: Inscription reading: 'P. Spicer and Sons, Taxidermists, Leamington'
Makers and roles
Peter Spicer and Sons, taxidermist