Novelty Decor Appraisal

Taxidermied Alligator Novelty with Glasses and Fur Beard

This item is a taxidermied or preserved juvenile alligator or caiman, presented as an unusual decorative piece. Its overall length appears to be approximately 1.5 to 2 feet, judging by its placement on a dining table with chairs. The material is the actual dried skin and body of the reptile, displaying a natural, light brown to tan color with visible scales and textured skin typical of an alligator. The characteristic scutes along its back are well-defined. The construction appears to be a full-body preservation, with the limbs and tail articulated in a natural, resting pose. Notably, the alligator's head has been adorned with small, wire-rimmed spectacles perched on its snout and a large, bushy, light-colored faux fur 'beard' or 'mustache' attached beneath its chin, giving it a whimsical, anthropomorphic appearance. These additions suggest it functions more as a novelty or curiosity rather than a purely scientific specimen. There are no obvious signs of significant damage such as tears or large cracks in the skin, however, typical drying and shrinking is apparent. The eyes appear to be artificial glass inserts. No visible maker's marks or signatures are discernible. This type of item was particularly popular as a souvenir or 'Florida novelty' from the mid-20th century onwards, indicating an estimated age from the 1950s to the 1980s. The quality of preservation appears to be fair, maintaining the form of the animal. The addition of the glasses and fur makes it a unique and eccentric piece of folk art or tourist memorabilia.