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Arnouil collection

Le Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Bordeaux - sciences et nature propose de découvrir la collection Arnouil
Le Musée d'histoire naturelle de Bordeaux présente les spécimens naturalisés de la collection Pierre Arnouil

Pierre Arnouil

Pierre Arnouil is an amateur taxidermist who established an ornithology collection from 1938 to 2000.

He is a real enthusiast who collected 358 different species mainly coming from the Aquitaine region but also, for some, from African fauna.

Pierre Arnouil created each taxidermist mounting and did this activity for 62 years. Apart from these mountings, the collector documented each of the specimens he kept in the best possible conditions.

The Pierre Arnouil collection

The collection includes 670 taxidermy mountings, mainly in ornithology: 

  • 649 birds
  • 21 mammals

The collection is mainly regional (Aquitaine) with 467 specimens i.e. 70% of the set. A major part is from Africa with 116 specimens (17%). The remainder (13%) is from various regions of the Palaearctic and breeding farms for some specimens.

The collection also includes a series of bird eggs.

The state of specimens

The taxidermy mounting quality is exceptional. Although Mr Arnouil undertook this activity as an amateur, he made mountings worthy of the greatest professionals.

They have always been kept in closed display cabinets, in a single room, kept in darkness by a shutter at the window. The display cabinets were continually maintained and treated with dichlorobenzene against parasite insects until 2012.

The eggs were kept in the dark, in a piece of furniture with closed drawers, located in the same room.

Pierre Arnouil a renseigné chaque spécimen dans ses carnets. Sa collection est extrêmement bien documentée.

The interest of the Pierre Arnouil collection

The Pierre Arnouil collection is interesting on several levels.
 

  • An exceptionally documented collection 

Each specimen has a label displaying the species identification (common name and scientific name), origin (place it was taken or collected) and date it was taken.

In addition, throughout his activity the taxidermist kept detailed observations of each specimen in a series of 10 handwritten notebooks often illustrated with sketches. These notebooks are an exceptional source of information about the specimens but also the practice of taxidermy.

  • A collection covering more than 60 years of activity

The second half of the 20th century is indeed the poorest period for the Bordeaux Natural History collections. The main richness covers the years 1840 to 1930 then started again with the years 2000. The Arnouil collection (established from 1938 to 2000) therefore enabled this shortcoming to be made up for the ornithology collection.

  • A collection of great quality and in a perfect state of conservation

     
  • A consistent and coherent regional collection

     
  • A collection that includes species missing from the Museum of Bordeaux collections

Indeed, 35 species including 26 African species were missing from the Museum’s collections. Others were only presents as a single example and were able to expand the collection (21 species, 17 of which African).

  • A collection presenting specimens that can be directly used in the museum display

These specimens have been able to be displayed in the various spaces of the Museum of Bordeaux. They can be seen on the first floor in the Eat me if you can! room but also in the room on the Aquitaine coast…

Pierre Arnouil était un collectionneur et un taxidermiste. Il a fait don de sa collection au Muséum de Bordeaux - sciences et nature
Le Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Bordeaux - sciences et nature a eu la chance de récupérer la collection de Pierre Arnouil
La collection Arnouil compte désormais parmi les collections du Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Bordeaux - sciences et nature
La collection Arnouil est conservée au Centre de Conservation des Collections (CCC) du Muséum de Bordeaux - sciences et nature
Certains spécimens de la collection Arnouil sont présentés dans les espaces musicographiques du Muséum de Bordeaux - sciences et nature
Pierre Arnouil a documenté sa collection qui a été donnée au Muséum de Bordeaux - sciences et nature
Le Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Bordeaux - sciences et nature propose de découvrir les dessins de la collection Arnouil
Le Muséum de Bordeaux - sciences et nature a acheté une partie de la collection Arnouil.
Le Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Bordeaux - sciences et nature propose de découvrir les spécimens et dessins de la collection Arnouil

Acquisition of the collection

The Museum of Bordeaux acquired this collection on 22 April 2013 in two forms.
 

Purchase

The Museum of Bordeaux acquired the Pierre Arnouil collection following the proposal of his grandson who did not want to see it split up in a public sale. The City was able to make an offer accepted by the family.

Donation

The egg collection, belonging to the collector’s grandson was given to the museum and included in the collections as well as the specimens of protected species passed on as a donation, purchasing only being applicable for authorised species.