Old West & Native American Auction
Lot 1438:
Description
This is an exceptional example of vintage taxidermy, featuring a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox), poised in a classic aggressive strike coil with its mouth open. As a collector of natural history mounts, I can attest that the artistry here is focused on capturing the snake’s raw, intimidating energy, a hallmark of mid-to-late 20th-century taxidermy. The skin exhibits the characteristic mottled brown and diamond-shaped pattern. A detailed look at the tail confirms a well-preserved and substantial rattle, which is a key factor in appraising these mounts. The mount appears to be in good vintage condition, displaying some expected natural drying/brittleness and a few minor, dark scuffs visible on the light-colored padding inside the opened mouth, which is common for older specimens. The skin and scales appear intact and well-adhered to the form, with no major shedding or cracking evident. H 11″, W 12″, D 18″. From the Western display in Donley’s Wild West Town. NOTE: Pickup/transport required. Contacts available post auction.
Share this lot:
