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Taxidermy Tortoise

Vintage Native American Ceremonial Dance Regalia Turtle Shell Rattle Instrument
Vintage Native American Ceremonial Dance Regalia Turtle Shell Rattle Instrument

Vintage Native American Ceremonial Dance Regalia Turtle Shell Rattle Instrument

Located in Dayton, OH

Vintage Native American ceremonial rattle / shaker fashioned out of the shell of a box turtle on a wooden stick, accented with a red wrap and beads. Dimensions: 16" x 3.75" x 2.25" ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Native American Taxidermy

Materials

Tortoise Shell

Recent Sales

19th Century Trio of Tortoise Specimens Taxidermy Victorian Curiosity
19th Century Trio of Tortoise Specimens Taxidermy Victorian Curiosity

19th Century Trio of Tortoise Specimens Taxidermy Victorian Curiosity

Located in Lowestoft, GB

Lovely collection of tortoise specimens, on turned brass mounts with oak bases, the larger two sit on oak bases, the smaller example sits on a later Bakelite base, circa 1890 2 x ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Taxidermy

Materials

Brass

Fine Taxidermy Aldabra Giant Tortoise by Sinke & Van Tongeren
Fine Taxidermy Aldabra Giant Tortoise by Sinke & Van Tongeren

Fine Taxidermy Aldabra Giant Tortoise by Sinke & Van Tongeren

By Sinke & Van Tongeren

Located in Haarlem, NL

The species is endemic to the islands of the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles. It is one of the largest tortoises in the world. So happy to work on this one. It was on my wishlist for...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Victorian Taxidermy

Materials

Animal Skin

Large Natural Specimen Tortoise Shell
Large Natural Specimen Tortoise Shell

Large Natural Specimen Tortoise Shell

Sold

H 9.5 in W 22.5 in D 16.5 in

Large Natural Specimen Tortoise Shell

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Vintage tortoise shell with great size, condition and color.

Category

20th Century Unknown Primitive Taxidermy

Materials

Tortoise Shell

Large Vintage Tortoise Shell Mounted On Stand
Large Vintage Tortoise Shell Mounted On Stand

Large Vintage Tortoise Shell Mounted On Stand

Located in Plainview, NY

Large Vintage tortoise shell mounted on new black metal stand.

Category

20th Century Taxidermy

Antique 19th Century Large Tortoiseshell or Carapace
Antique 19th Century Large Tortoiseshell or Carapace

Antique 19th Century Large Tortoiseshell or Carapace

Located in Kinderhook, NY

19th century tortoise / turtle shell or carapace of large size and beautiful coloration with reverse mount for wall hanging if desired.

Category

Antique 19th Century Taxidermy

Materials

Tortoise Shell

Faux Life-Size Taxidermy Tortoise
Faux Life-Size Taxidermy Tortoise

Faux Life-Size Taxidermy Tortoise

Sold

H 10 in W 28 in D 19.5 in

Faux Life-Size Taxidermy Tortoise

Located in Bradenton, FL

This life-size realistic faux tortoise that looks like an authentic taxidermy tortoise.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Fiberglass

Fine Mounted Taxidermy Tortoise, circa 1900
Fine Mounted Taxidermy Tortoise, circa 1900

Fine Mounted Taxidermy Tortoise, circa 1900

Sold

H 21 in W 16.5 in D 4.5 in

Fine Mounted Taxidermy Tortoise, circa 1900

Located in Bridgeport, CT

In very good condition with custom wood board mount. While the board is made to hang, the tortoise is equally effective as a table or shelf display.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Rustic Taxidermy

19th Century Early Victorian Tortoise Mount On Oak Oval Taxidermy Curio
19th Century Early Victorian Tortoise Mount On Oak Oval Taxidermy Curio

19th Century Early Victorian Tortoise Mount On Oak Oval Taxidermy Curio

Located in Lowestoft, GB

A wonderful and totally original early Victorian taxidermy tortoise, mounted on a thick oval oak board with decorative chamfered edge with brass hanging hoop. 24cm in length 16.5cm...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Taxidermy

Materials

Natural Fiber, Oak

Pair of Antique Sea Turtles on Stands
Pair of Antique Sea Turtles on Stands

Pair of Antique Sea Turtles on Stands

Sold

H 23 in W 16 in D 6 in

Pair of Antique Sea Turtles on Stands

Located in Winnetka, IL

This is a pair of antique sea turtles of different sizes on Lucite and metal stands.

Category

Vintage 1920s American Taxidermy

Materials

Metal

Taxidermy Tortoise
Taxidermy Tortoise

Taxidermy Tortoise

Located in Stamford, CT

Old taxidermy tortoise with eyes which appear to be glas or composite. 95% whole.

Category

Late 20th Century French Taxidermy

Victorian Taxidermy Tortoise with Glass Eyes
Victorian Taxidermy Tortoise with Glass Eyes

Victorian Taxidermy Tortoise with Glass Eyes

Sold

H 14.5 in W 12 in D 4.5 in

Victorian Taxidermy Tortoise with Glass Eyes

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Beautiful Victorian taxidermy tortoise with glass eyes. This specimen is truly awesome, and in incredible condition.

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Animal Sculptures

Taxidermy Tortoise

Taxidermy Tortoise

Located in Palm Springs, CA

The poor thing... But he looks better than I do this morning.

Category

Vintage 1930s African More Furniture and Collectibles

Taxidermy Turtle Shell
Taxidermy Turtle Shell

Taxidermy Turtle Shell

Sold

H 5 in W 20 in D 16 in

Taxidermy Turtle Shell

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A Very Old Taxidermy Tortoise Shell.

Category

Antique 19th Century Taxidermy

Materials

Shell

Antique Taxidermy Sea Turtle Tortoise Found in France
Antique Taxidermy Sea Turtle Tortoise Found in France

Antique Taxidermy Sea Turtle Tortoise Found in France

Located in Houston, TX

An exceptional piece discovered in France, this antique taxidermy tortoise is in remarkable condition with beautiful coloring in it's shell.

Category

Early 20th Century French Taxidermy

Materials

Tortoise Shell

LARGE ANTIQUE TORTOISE
LARGE ANTIQUE TORTOISE

LARGE ANTIQUE TORTOISE

Sold

H 36 in W 26 in

LARGE ANTIQUE TORTOISE

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A very large taxidermy Tortoise.

Category

20th Century Animal Sculptures

Antique Sea Tortoise Taxidermy
Antique Sea Tortoise Taxidermy

Antique Sea Tortoise Taxidermy

Sold

H 5 in W 16.5 in D 10.5 in

Antique Sea Tortoise Taxidermy

Located in Raleigh, NC

Antique Sea Tortoise Taxidermy full Tortoise. Beautiful sea turtle with superb shell.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Taxidermy

Antique Tortoise Shell
Antique Tortoise Shell

Antique Tortoise Shell

Sold

H 4.5 in W 12 in D 15 in

Antique Tortoise Shell

Located in New York, NY

Beautifully Colored Antique Tortoise Shell, Late 19th/Early 20th Century. Slightly slanted as per shape of Tortoise body.

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Taxidermy

Materials

Tortoise Shell

Group of Four Mounted Tortoise Shells
Group of Four Mounted Tortoise Shells

Group of Four Mounted Tortoise Shells

Sold

H 5.52 in W 5.52 in D 7.49 in

Group of Four Mounted Tortoise Shells

Located in Glamis, Angus

A group of four small tortoise shells. Each shell is in very good condition with lovely tone and patina. They are all set upon small wooden plinths for display. Perfect for the...

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Taxidermy

Materials

Tortoise Shell

Vintage Tortoise Shell on Custom Iron Stand
Vintage Tortoise Shell on Custom Iron Stand

Vintage Tortoise Shell on Custom Iron Stand

Sold

H 19 in W 10.75 in D 3.5 in

Vintage Tortoise Shell on Custom Iron Stand

Located in Houston, TX

Discovered during our recent time in Belgium, this vintage tortoise shell is beautifully displayed on a custom iron stand and dates to the 1930s. Wear is shown on the right edge of s...

Category

Early 20th Century Taxidermy

Materials

Iron

Giant Tortoise Shell
Giant Tortoise Shell

Giant Tortoise Shell

Sold

H 8 in W 31.5 in D 25.5 in

Giant Tortoise Shell

Located in New York, NY

A large tortoise shell in great condition. Filipino, circa 1900.

Category

Early 20th Century Philippine Taxidermy

Mounted  Antique Tortoise Shell
Mounted  Antique Tortoise Shell

Mounted Antique Tortoise Shell

Sold

H 26 in W 20 in D 6 in

Mounted Antique Tortoise Shell

Located in San Francisco, CA

Beautiful mounted antique Tortoise shell. This is the bone of the Tortoise that has been polished and mounted.

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Taxidermy

Materials

Bone

Shield of a giant tortoise from the Galapagos, ca. 1800
Shield of a giant tortoise from the Galapagos, ca. 1800

Shield of a giant tortoise from the Galapagos, ca. 1800

Located in Sint Annaland, NL

Beautiful shield of a giant tortoise from the Galapagos. There are surplusses in brass of a hinge and a lock who prove that this tortoise is from circa 1800.

Category

Antique 19th Century Ecuadorean Taxidermy

Vintage Tortoiseshell on Iron Stand 'Large'
Vintage Tortoiseshell on Iron Stand 'Large'

Vintage Tortoiseshell on Iron Stand 'Large'

Located in Houston, TX

Discovered during our time in Belgium, this very special tortoise shell dates to 1910 where it was originally captured in Panama. The story of the piece can be found in French on the...

Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Taxidermy

Materials

Iron

Antique Taxidermy Sea Turtle Tortoise Shell
Antique Taxidermy Sea Turtle Tortoise Shell

Antique Taxidermy Sea Turtle Tortoise Shell

Located in Houston, TX

Found during our recent time in France, we instantly fell for this sea turtle we lovingly have nicknamed Birgen. Dates to approximately 1910 and is in quite beautiful condition altho...

Category

Early 20th Century French Taxidermy

Materials

Tortoise Shell

Vintage Turtle Shell Taxidermy
Vintage Turtle Shell Taxidermy

Vintage Turtle Shell Taxidermy

Sold

H 25.99 in W 21.66 in D 4.34 in

Vintage Turtle Shell Taxidermy

Located in Oxfordshire, GB

Vintage unmounted turtle shell/tortoise.

Category

Early 20th Century Taxidermy

Materials

Tortoise Shell

19th Century Tortoise Shell Large
19th Century Tortoise Shell Large

19th Century Tortoise Shell Large

Sold

H 34 in W 28 in D 9 in

19th Century Tortoise Shell Large

Located in Stamford, CT

19th century tortoise shell wall mountable.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Taxidermy

Small Antique Victorian Brass Lined Tortoise
Small Antique Victorian Brass Lined Tortoise

Small Antique Victorian Brass Lined Tortoise

Sold

H 3.94 in W 7.09 in D 4.93 in

Small Antique Victorian Brass Lined Tortoise

Located in Worcester, Worcestershire

Period Victorian Length 18 cm / 7 in Width 12.5 cm / 5 in Height 10 cm / 4 in Condition Good condition commensurate with age. Two holes to the shell, repairs to the two front leg...

Category

Antique 19th Century Taxidermy

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Taxidermy Tortoise For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic taxidermy tortoise available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of bone, tortoise shell and metal, every taxidermy tortoise was constructed with great care. Your living room may not be complete without a taxidermy tortoise — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. A taxidermy tortoise is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Victorian styles are sought with frequency.

Finding the Right Taxidermy for You

The centuries-old practice of taxidermy continues to enjoy remarkable longevity, with today's top designers making mounted and preserved animals key elements of their decor.

Taxidermy captures animals in an eternal moment of animation, so perhaps it’s fitting that the deployment of these preternaturally preserved creatures — and other natural specimens — as decorative accents has endured far longer than the sell-by-date for most design trends. Certainly, the style-setting enthusiasts of tasteful decorating with taxidermy are as passionate as they are many.

Martha Stewart is a lifelong lover of the preservationist’s art, and she has proudly posed with the vintage game birds, foxes and bears that adorn Skylands, her 1920s retreat in Seal Harbor, Maine. Angelina Jolie began an avian menagerie when her daughter Shiloh brought home a dead bird she wanted to keep as a pet. Danielle Steel has an elegant Paris residence packed with exotic specimens, including a giraffe in the foyer. Over-the-top taxidermy remains the flashy signature of party planner and decorator extraordinaire Ken Fulk.

For Chicago decorator Summer Thornton, the reason for taxidermy’s persistent appeal is obvious: “There’s nothing more beautiful than natural creation.” New York designer Ryan Korban agrees: “They add a layer of whimsy to a room that no other decorative arts element can give.” Patrick Mele, another New York designer, thinks there’s a spiritual component to this attraction. These creatures, he says, “are a special gift to be around. Birds, especially, are so colorful they look hyper-real. They remind us that those crazy colors are right there in nature.”

In the vast inventory of collectibles and curiosities on 1stDibs, find antique, new and vintage preserved and mounted taxidermy specimens for your Wunderkammern, mantle or carefully curated home library.

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