About the Department
Not everything fits neatly into a category, and that’s often where the most interesting lots come from. From anatomical skeletons and Victorian taxidermy to meteorites, fossils, arcade machines and one-off oddities, we love handling the unusual.
Odd pieces bring out specialist collectors, interior designers, prop buyers and curious bidders, all looking for the one thing nobody else has. There’s no price list for a Victorian teaching skeleton, so the best way to find out what it’s worth is to put it in front of the people who want it.
Found something strange in a loft, a lock-up or an estate and have no idea what it is? Send us a photo and we’ll give you a quick, honest answer, with no obligation.
Recent Results
A 19th or early 20th century teaching skeleton, believed to be by Adam, Rouilly & Co, sold for £1,650.
A Victorian lioness by the celebrated London taxidermists, measuring 170cm head to tail, sold for £600.
A Campo del Cielo meteorite, an archaeologist’s drawers of fossils and meteorites, and a megalodon tooth.
A blackbuck antelope, a longhorn bull and a fox head by W.J. Coles have all passed through our saleroom.
Yes, a car. Left-hand drive, one owner from new, sold for £820.
A rare professional reel-to-reel that led its sale at £2,300.
Sell With Us
Visit us Monday to Friday, send photos via WhatsApp, or submit an online request. Fast, no-obligation and completely free of charge.
Once you are happy with our valuation, items are entered into an upcoming auction. We arrange collection or drop-off, then catalogue, photograph and list your lots.
Once your items sell, we process payment within 21 days via bank transfer. Clear fees, no surprises, no chasing.
What We Take
If it’s unusual, interesting or hard to put a name to, there’s a good chance someone out there collects it.
Taxidermy
Taxidermy is one of the busiest corners of our weird and wonderful sales. Victorian and Edwardian pieces are collected for their craftsmanship, and collectors, interior designers, set dressers and prop buyers all bid on them.
We sell cased birds and fish, mounted heads and antlers, full mounts, domed displays and animal skin rugs. Recent sales include a Victorian lioness by Rowland Ward, a longhorn bull head, a blackbuck antelope, a fox head by W.J. Coles and a cased shelduck.
The maker matters most. Names such as Rowland Ward, Van Ingen, James Gardner and Peter Spicer attract specialist buyers, and an original maker's label inside a case can add real value. Condition counts too: original glass, no fading or moth damage, and a natural pose and setting. Age, species, size and rarity all play a part.
Some species are protected, and selling them can need a certificate, particularly pieces made after 1947 from endangered animals. We'll check what applies to your piece before it goes into a sale.
Got a case in the loft or a collection from an estate? Send us a photo, including any label, and we'll tell you what it's worth. We can collect large mounts and cases.
Good To Know
Certain items, such as some taxidermy, natural history specimens or anything containing ivory, are subject to rules on sale. We’ll check what applies before anything is consigned, so you don’t have to.
Pieces are catalogued and photographed in-house and offered to over 10,000 registered bidders worldwide, so even the oddest item has a chance of finding the right buyer.
Four ways to get a valuation
In person
Drop in Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, with valuation mornings every other Saturday. One of the team will assess your items on the spot.
Get DirectionsOnline request
Complete our valuation form, upload photos and a description. We review and respond within one working day.
Request OnlineSell by post
Pack up your smaller items and post them to us for free. We assess, list and sell them at auction on your behalf.
How Does It Work?The fastest route to a free valuation. One of the team will get back to you promptly.
WhatsApp ValuationScan the QR code on desktop to open WhatsApp on your phone.
Tell Us What You’ve Found
Fill in the form with a few photos and we’ll get back to you within one working day.
Frequently Asked
Yes. Some of our best results have come from items the owner couldn’t identify. Send us a photo and we’ll take a look.
Yes, including cased birds, mounted heads and full mounts. Some species have restrictions on sale, and we’ll advise on what applies.
Yes. We can collect from homes, lofts, garages and storage units. Smaller items can be dropped in at our Wallington saleroom, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.
Our selling fees are set out on our Our Fees page.
Yes. Egyptian, Roman, Greek and other ancient pieces have their own page, which covers what we sell and the provenance we ask for. See our Antiquities page.
What Our Clients Say
"Unlike the haughty and impatient attitude of many auction houses, particularly those in the London area, the staff and owners of London Auctions are approachable, helpful and seem genuinely pleased to be working with their bidders and sellers."
"Liam and team did a great job for me in clearing out and repairing and cleaning a flat in Westminster comprised in a deceased estate in order to prepare it for putting on the market. They were excellent to deal with and I highly recommend them."
"Cannot recommend highly enough. Cleared house at very short notice. Took care of everything including auction items. Very smooth, hassle free process from start to finish with great communication and quick payment after auction."
"Sold many lots with London Auctions and have always achieved a good hammer price. Prompt payment with reasonable commission and charges. Just leave the efficient and friendly staff to do their job and you will have nothing to worry about."
"I would recommend and use London Auctions again. Professional, personable and trustworthy. Everything went smoothly. Estimates are uncannily accurate. They know their stuff."
"From start to finish we were very impressed with communication and service of Liam and the team. Nothing was too much trouble and any questions or queries regarding items or the auction etc were dealt with very quickly. Would highly recommend as this company really know their stuff."
Browse by Department
Furniture, ceramics, silver, artwork and curios spanning centuries of collecting.
Toys, coins, militaria, vinyl, books and ephemera for every kind of collector.
Designer handbags, apparel and trainers, authenticated and ready to wear.
Classic cars, motorbikes and automobilia for collectors who love things with an engine.
Trading cards, comics, video games and retro homewares from decades past.
Gold, silver, gemstones and timepieces — with XRF precious metal testing available.
Free no-obligation valuations available — by WhatsApp, online, in person or by post.
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