I'm looking for some ideas for novelty mounts. If you have any ideas please tell me. Thanks
Tyler Butcher
1-29-01
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Tyler,
You might try leafing through the various items on E-bay, but personally I think it is demeaning to the dignity of the animals that you are trying to preserve. Kinda like the old wooden indians handing out cigars on the front steps of old hardware stores or those lantern holders who now-a-days have a fresh coat of white paint on the face.
It might have more dignity if you stuff a series of animals in serious positions but pose them in a storybook manner. The old Potter Museum of Curiosities in England did a very nice rendition of "Who killed Cock Robin" - but I was not impressed with the bunnies in skirts portrayed drinking tea. Those were produced in the latter 1800's, and I thought we had advanced beyond demeaning animals - but E-bay has proven me wrong. But then the US elected Billy Boy Clinton two times so that certainly tells you something.
If I have mistaken the direction of the question you posed, I apologize, but novelty taxidermy in its true sence is posing animals in human situations complete with props.
The Taxidermologist
Tyler some somewhat tactful novelty mounts such as the deer foot gun rack, footstools, lamps and thermometers are available. Even the antler mount is considered somewhat of a novelty....actually ALL taxidermy is a "novelty" but I think you are looking for the funny side of novelty? Maybe I'm wrong. You can also portray the whitetails rump in all its high tailed glory. Any other "novelty" items I can think of are very tacky and like Stephen, I myself consider them demeaning to the animal and embarassing to the taxidermist. Keep taxidermy refined and appreciated!