Social Icons

Pages

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Basic Fundamentals About South Texas Taxidermy

By Marla Mills


In South Texas Taxidermy is classified as an art that entails preparing, mounting and/or stuffing skins of animals for study or display purposes. Vertebrates are mainly utilized than invertebrates since they contain a supportive back-bone, which renders them simpler to work on. This procedure may be performed on all kinds of vertebrate species of creatures comprising amphibians, fish, mammals, reptiles, and birds. An individual whose specialty lies in this art is known as a taxidermist.

Taxidermists can be employed by museums or other related facilities or they can own personal businesses. Such businesses normally serve fishermen, hunter, or amateurs like hobbyists. The art can also be performed to individual customers in their homes. One needs a perfect understanding of sculpture, painting, anatomy, and tanning in order to make a good taxidermist. A group of people with different skills can also come together and form a company.

Taxidermy has a lengthy history and dates as back as 1748 in France. The very first existence of this art was birds conserved for natural history cabinets. Techniques of mounting were elaborately discussed in 1752 by somebody called M. B. Stollas. Taxidermy had many pioneers in different states including Denmark, France, and Germany around the era of discovery.

At the time of discovery, clay was used in shaping the soft parts of the animals. This was however changed because it made the animals very heavy when mounted on the wall. The era within which the art of taxidermy experienced a golden age was during the Victorian era. During that era, mounted animals were a very popular part of decor and interior design.

The methods applied by taxidermists in their work have improved much with time resulting into little or zero toxicity and better taxidermic quality. Current techniques entail skinning the creature in question first. The skinning can be carried out without opening internal cavity of creatures. The skinners do not therefore see internal parts or blood. The skins could then be sprayed with conserving chemical products or tanned depending on type.

The tanned skin could then be mounted on polyurethane forms or on mannequin produced from wire, wood, or wool. Glass eyes are fixed using clay. Eyes and forms are sold on commercial scale by suppliers worldwide. Taxidermists also carve personal forms that suit their own preferences. All taxidermists target at ensuring that their work-pieces remain attractive and the outcomes resemble living creatures as much as possible.

Anthropomorphic taxidermy is a division where mounted creatures get displayed as if they are involved in some human activity. Some individuals dress them like humans. This design was most common during Edwadian and Victorian ages, although they are still available in some locations. Rogue taxidermic art involves creation of mythical and/or animals that are extinct or never existed. Some of the creatures created include chimeras, dragons, unicorns, mermaids, and griffins.

In South Texas Taxidermy is done by the best in the field. The specialists are normally available for hire by individuals. They charge low rates yet provide state of the art services.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment