Taxidermy.
Let me make something clear. I do not condone hunting for
sport or any sort of animal cruelty just so I can have a pretty peacock on my
mantle. I do however support ethical taxidermy. If an animal dies naturally, I
see no problem in having it stuffed and put in my living room. In fact, after I
die, I see no problem of myself being stuffed and put back in my own living
room. I am so opposed to hunting that I think the hunters should be shot
themselves. I liken hunters to child abusers. Wow! This is turning out to be a
happy blog.
But this is a
happy blog today, it is! I think
taxidermy is actually animal appreciation. If you don’t believe me, let me tell
you a little story. Once upon a time…
There is a shop in Paris called Deyrolle. It has been in the
same building on the left bank of Paris since 1881 on one of my favorite
streets, rue du Bac. Before that, the shop was on rue de la Monnaie in 1831.
The owner, Émile Deyrolle was a French naturalist whose shop specialized in
natural history publications and specimens, minerals, rocks, fossils, botanical
specimens, shells, microscopic specimens and yes, taxidermy. The business was
originally owned by his naturalist grandfather, Jean-Baptiste Deyrolle.
Deyrolle is an institution. Beloved. Revered. Respected.
Cherished. This is a mythical taxidermy shop for animal lovers, quite the opposite
of “hunters.” This intriguing shop has held dear memories for its clientele for
generations in the past and for generations to come. But all of that was nearly
lost one fateful evening in February of 2008 when the shop caught fire. To all
of Paris, it was as if the Louvre had caught fire. 90% of the shop was
destroyed. The animals had suffered a second death.
But, as in life there is beauty, so there is also in death.
What became of this awful catastrophe was something beautiful. A photographer,
by the name of Laurent Bochet, was granted permission to photograph the ruins.
His book, titled, 1000°C, is one of my favorite books in the whole wide world.
It is currently sold out on the Assouline Publishing website (Probably thanks
to me. You’re welcome) but it is still available through Amazon HERE. It is a
remarkable book capturing the soul of Deyrolle that makes your heart swoon and
hopefully opens one’s eyes to the beauty of taxidermy. With the help of fellow Deyrolle
lovers from interior designers, museums, luxury brands (Hermès created a scarf
in honor of Deyrolle named Plumes to
raise funds), loyal customers, well-wishers to European royalty, the shop has
been completely restored and the magic continues The end.
That’s my story. So let’s all just take a deep breath and
relax about taxidermy. Ethical taxidermy, that is, so don’t get your knickers
in a twist. Years ago, I had a beautiful taxidermy white peacock at my antique
shop. I named her Ursula. Every day when I would open the shop, I would walk in
the store and say, “Bonjour, Ursula.” She was a regal bird that reigned over
our shop and my heart. I wish I had never sold her because I think she would be
very happy here with me in Paris. If you want to, let’s take a look at some
interior design with taxidermy. If you don’t want to, don’t, it’s a free world.
photo by Wendy Jenson
If you want to see more beautiful taxidermy, check out my Have Some Decorum Decorating with Taxidermy
board HERE.
On a little side note, check out this video of an exhibit
in Paris with artist Billie Achilleos in collaboration with Louis Vuitton and Deyrolle HERE.
A toute!
*Something you don’t know about me? I approved of Gracie
ditching three days of college this week so she could work as an intern for a
fashion stylist on a shoot for Italian Vogue. Why? Because I’m cool like that.
:-)
Lucky our girls have such cool moms!!
ReplyDeleteOh, oh. Have been liking your blog a lot, but not this post. Not at all. Taxidermy is atrocious. And the sheer number of photos posted is.... Shaking my head at the disrespect to the beings that inhabited these physical bodies. Don't know if I'll be back, but wish you the best in all your endeavors.
ReplyDeleteDear Tree, to each their own but I think you are missing the point. Taxidermy, ethical taxidermy, is not disrespectful. Quite the opposite. But, like I said, to each their own. Good luck on your endeavors as well. XO XO Ellie
DeleteOH my,just yesterday as I was cruising your site I meant to ask you about the white peacock!!Here you are telling us about URSULA!I feel the SAME way about it as you do......thank you for putting it into words for me because I do not think I could have conveyed my feelings as well as you did!I too have TAXIDERMY.............I feel as if I have saved them somehow!I sent you an email a few days ago.......did you receive?XO
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post! I have not visited the store previously but I would love to see it. Thanks again for keeping us informed and entertained.
ReplyDeleteYou are so very cool.
ReplyDeleteI have read about Deyrolle various places in the past. I enjoyed the pictures you posted - I especially enjoy the contrast of these animals in the beautiful buildings. Isn't the internet wonderful? It's like free travel! Thanks Ellie!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite spots when in Paris. I always want to give them a touch of whimsy, a brooch, a beret, or some sort of accessory to make them look dressed. Taxidermy is an art but I think I might prefer a macabre Tom Walton painting.
ReplyDeletepve
I forgot to say my gardening apron came from THERE!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
And we were getting along so well;)….! I must confess that I am a hunter (cross-bow) and have skinned and butcher deer. I would much rather take an animal from its environment rather than the inhumane ways most animals are raised, including laying hens. Aside from hunting turkey and deer, we buy all of our meet from a local farmer that raises heritage breeds, allowed to grown "the old fashioned way". Probably not surprising I like taxidermy, although not exotics. You always provide food for fodder, and this is a great post with luscious pictures. xob
ReplyDeleteps. I especially like it when I spell meat, like "meet". I am just a hick, what can I say?
ReplyDeleteHi Ellie, while you give a nice history on Deyrolle, and I suspect entering such a place is like a drub, taxidermy for me is yuck. To me, it's like wearing fur -- I just can't appreciate it. Wearing fur is worst, I admit. Hope I don't offend anyone. I wore fur once, too -- when I was 16 yrs old and until someone threw a firecracker at me and woke me up.
ReplyDeleteFunny -- the day you posted this, I had just completed a "Joan and Melissa" or "Joan knows best" or whatever it's called, marathon. I adore Joan's humour, but she wears fur: yuck. There's a great scene where she visits a taxidermy shoppe after her beloved dog dies, because she's considering having him "stuffed" (her word, not mine!). Joan's comments in the shoppe are classic Joan... (btw, it's on youtube).
Michelle
Hi Michelle. I don't wear fur either. I even honestly have a hard time eating meat. I like chicken but the whole concept of the fact that it's an animal grosses me out. I will check out that episode on youtube. By the way, I cannot believe someone through a firecracker on you!
DeleteWhen I was in my Goth phase (ahem) I had an amazing hat from the beginning of the 20th century with the most beautiful black bird on it and an appropriately swooping veil. When I wore it, people looked at me as if I were INSANE. It takes courage to wear taxidermy.
ReplyDeletePS. Deyrolle is always on my list that I give for visitors to Paris...