Family firm's taxidermy on show

A stuffed badger and stoat created by Hutchings of Aberystwyth

A collection of stuffed animals produced by a family taxidermy firm renowned worldwide has gone on display.

Hutchings of Aberystwyth operated from the 1860s to 1942, and the company is regarded by experts as one of the best the UK has seen.

The curator of Ceredigion Museum, where the exhibition is being held, has also written a book about the family.

The animals, which include a stuffed tiger and fox, will be on show until March.

The family's work, which is renowned for its realistic backgrounds for the animals, was collected around the world.

Last January a collection made by Hutchings was sold at auction in London for £35,544.

They produced works which are of a very high quality Michael Freeman, Ceredigion Museum

The firm's speciality was large sea birds, but it also stuffed other animals and many were shot to order.

Museum curator Michael Freeman said he came to understand why the family were so special when he wrote a book on them.

"They produced works which are of a very high quality.

"This display is the celebration of some fine craftsmanship, but it is also an attempt to explain how our views about wild animals have changed.

"Besides showing some rare and wonderful examples the exhibition also includes more common animals such as foxes and sea birds."

The company gained a strong reputation during the Victorian era, at a time when taxidermy was highly popular.

London auction house Bonhams described its sale last January as historic because of its quality and scale.