Warwickshire in 100 Objects: Taxidermy Otter by Peter Spicer

Otter prepared by Peter Spicer in the early 20th century. The case features Peter Spicer’s realistic painted backdrop and a signed pebble.

The Spicers were an important family of taxidermists in Victorian Warwick and Leamington. Their work is known throughout the world.

Otters in Warwickshire

This otter is thought to have lived in Warwickshire. Otters used to be widespread throughout the UK, but numbers declined from the 1950s due to river pollution.