Cowboy actor Roy Rodgers' trusty sidekick, Trigger, was immortalized in his iconic rearing pose. Bought by a U.S. cable company for $266,500 in 2010, Trigger is one of many taxidermy horses on display across the world.
Larger than life —
Cowboy actor Roy Rodgers' trusty sidekick, Trigger, was immortalized in his iconic rearing pose. Bought by a U.S. cable company for $266,500 in 2010, Trigger is one of many taxidermy horses on display across the world.
Jemal Countess/Getty Images/File
Head to Australia's Victoria Museum and you'll find an entire room dedicated to champion race horse Phar Lap -- including his skeleton and body.
Legend lives on —
Head to Australia's Victoria Museum and you'll find an entire room dedicated to champion race horse Phar Lap -- including his skeleton and body.
William West/AFP/Getty Images/File
The Australian horse, who died from suspected poisoning by U.S. mobsters in 1932, also has his enormous 6.2-kilogram heart on display. "It was fortunate to posterity that he did die in America, as he was worked on by the top taxidermy firm in the world at that time -- the Jonas Brothers of New York," said Michael Reason, curator of the Phar Lap exhibition.
Heart of gold —
The Australian horse, who died from suspected poisoning by U.S. mobsters in 1932, also has his enormous 6.2-kilogram heart on display. "It was fortunate to posterity that he did die in America, as he was worked on by the top taxidermy firm in the world at that time -- the Jonas Brothers of New York," said Michael Reason, curator of the Phar Lap exhibition.
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Taxidermy -- the art of stuffing animal skins for display -- actually involves very little of the creature's original parts. Pictured here is the wood and wire frame and real skull used to exhibit famous U.S. cavalry horse Comanche.
Recreating Comanche —
Taxidermy -- the art of stuffing animal skins for display -- actually involves very little of the creature's original parts. Pictured here is the wood and wire frame and real skull used to exhibit famous U.S. cavalry horse Comanche.
Courtesy Kansas University Natural History Museum
The gelding gained legendary status as the sole survivor of the the U.S. Cavalry in the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn, fought between General Custer's troops and native American Indians.
Body building —
The gelding gained legendary status as the sole survivor of the the U.S. Cavalry in the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn, fought between General Custer's troops and native American Indians.
Courtesy Kansas University Natural History Museum
Long after his fellow combatants have turned to dust, Comanche's taxidermy body stands to attention at Kansas University's Natural History Museum. The complex process of taxidermy involved wrapping the frame in jute to recreate his shape.
Myth making —
Long after his fellow combatants have turned to dust, Comanche's taxidermy body stands to attention at Kansas University's Natural History Museum. The complex process of taxidermy involved wrapping the frame in jute to recreate his shape.
Courtesy Kansas University Natural History Museum
The frame was then covered in a water-based clay in preparation for the final fitting of skin. "Often, the only real parts were the skin. Which speaks volumes about our concept of representation of the individual -- at what point does the proportion of fake parts cross the credibility threshold?" said Leonard Krishtalka, director of the Biodiversity Institute at Kansas University.
Skin deep —
The frame was then covered in a water-based clay in preparation for the final fitting of skin. "Often, the only real parts were the skin. Which speaks volumes about our concept of representation of the individual -- at what point does the proportion of fake parts cross the credibility threshold?" said Leonard Krishtalka, director of the Biodiversity Institute at Kansas University.
Courtesy Kansas University Natural History Museum
The skin was then sewed on to the frame. "Even preserved skin gets old. So if you go to these 19th century exhibitions, you see all these cracked creatures who have broken ears and the stitching coming undone. I find quite a sadness to them," said author Rachel Poliquin.
Nip and tuck —
The skin was then sewed on to the frame. "Even preserved skin gets old. So if you go to these 19th century exhibitions, you see all these cracked creatures who have broken ears and the stitching coming undone. I find quite a sadness to them," said author Rachel Poliquin.
Courtesy Kansas University Natural History Museum
Tens of thousands of people visited Comanche when he was first exhibited at the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893. "In one sense you could say it's ghoulish, but in another you could say it's part of the human cultural machine -- preserving the past gives people some sort of gratification of a connection through time," said Krishtalka.
Forever young —
Tens of thousands of people visited Comanche when he was first exhibited at the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893. "In one sense you could say it's ghoulish, but in another you could say it's part of the human cultural machine -- preserving the past gives people some sort of gratification of a connection through time," said Krishtalka.
Courtesy Kansas University Natural History Museum
More than 100 years after his death, Comanche was beginning to look a little worse for wear. In 2005 the historic horse was given a makeover -- including new eyelashes.
Make-up artist —
More than 100 years after his death, Comanche was beginning to look a little worse for wear. In 2005 the historic horse was given a makeover -- including new eyelashes.
Courtesy Kansas University Natural History Museum
Dating back to the Victorian era, taxidermy was used by European explorers as a way of preserving exotic species from across the world.
Shock and awe —
Dating back to the Victorian era, taxidermy was used by European explorers as a way of preserving exotic species from across the world.
Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images/File
"In keeping the memory alive, people go into the museum and read the story and become fascinated with it, and perhaps find a respect for a creature they wouldn't otherwise know about. On the other hand, you've made this heroic character into an object for display and there is an element of disrespect in that," said Poliquin.
Frozen in time —
"In keeping the memory alive, people go into the museum and read the story and become fascinated with it, and perhaps find a respect for a creature they wouldn't otherwise know about. On the other hand, you've made this heroic character into an object for display and there is an element of disrespect in that," said Poliquin.
Remy Gabalda/Getty Images/File