Taxidermy Barn Owl and Mouse

Taxidermy owl perched on a completed green natural style base, with conserved taxidermy mouse.

Identification

  • Object Type: Taxidermy specimen of a Barn owl and mouse
  • Date: The use of arsenic in the preservation of the specimen suggests it is dated from the late 1700s up to 1932, when it was donated to the Ilkeston museum in Derbyshire. 
  • Origin: Unknown: donated to Ilkeston Museum in Derbyshire
  • Owner: University Teaching Collection
  • Maker: Unknown
  • Measurements: 
    • Base (original): 23 cm x 19 cm
    • Head to end of tail: 34 cm
    • Bottom of base to top of head: 23 cm  
  • Materials: Natural materials, Owl skin; feathers; skeleton; wire; mouse skin; stuffing; sawdust; mouse pelt

Summary

This taxidermy diorama features a Barn owl holding a small mouse, a field mouse, between its claws. This object was donated to the Ilkeston museum in 1932 and added to the University of Lincoln’s teaching collection in recent years. Its history prior to its admission to the museum is currently unknown.Since then, it had been stored in a large display case with other specimens. This was then broken down into individual pieces due to a lack of space in the conservation labs, as well as the original display case being discovered to be broken, which could have damaged the specimens and potentially been a health hazard. The aim for this treatment was to present the specimen as it would have originally been displayed upon its production. The Owl was found to have traces of arsenic through XRF testing, therefore ensuring the specimen was safe for display through treatment and storage became priority for the project. The presence of arsenic on the object suggests it was produced between the late 1700s and 1932. Taxidermy has a complex history and a variety of uses. Taxidermy was used to understand the anatomy of an animal; for presenting trophies of animals hunted abroad; or as a celebration of the native animals of the United Kingdom. The barn owl used to create this specimen is native to the UK, so it is an example of the latter. 

Behind the Scenes

Object prior to conservation treatment. Taxidermy owl holding mouse between claws. A broken base leaves dirt around the bench surface surrounding it.
Object prior to conservation treatment.
Object prior to conservation treatment. Close up of a taxidermy mouse held between claw of barn owl. A broken base leaves dirt around the bench surface surrounding it.
Close-up of the mouse, prior to conservation treatment.
X-Ray image of a taxidermy barn owl and mouse, showing interior skeleton and wire frame, along with glass eyes.
X-Ray image of the object, showing its construction.
A taxidermy owl on a work bench undergoing treatment. The owl’s wing feathers are individually pegged to blotting paper being cleaned with toothbrush.
Owl undergoing conservation treatment.
A taxidermy owl undergoing treatment under a fume hood. The owl is stood on a natural-looking base and holding a mouse in its claw. The base is wrapped in tissue paper and there is a beaker of adhesive next to it.
The base is being paper-maché-d using acid-free tissue and PVA glue.
Taxidermy owl perched on a completed green natural style base, with conserved taxidermy mouse.
Object after conservation treatment.

The conservator who treated this object is Connie, click on the profile to learn more.

Note: All images were taken by the conservator unless stated otherwise. 

Connie, a white woman in her early 20s with long black hair and a fringe. She is smiling to the left of the camera and wearing a black vest top. The photo is in black and white.

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