Team members recall discovering a remarkable Victorian stegosaur model. The figure was in a display case amongst fossils and casts of armoured dinosaur fossils. This model is not scientifically accurate. However, it has its own unique charm. Despite its outdated anatomy and incorrect features, it still sparks curiosity and highlights the skills of the model maker. The Stegosaurus model was part of a display housed at the Manchester Museum of Natural History.
A model of a stegosaur in a display cabinet at the Manchester Museum of Natural History. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A Victorian Stegosaur Model
The bones of one half of the dinosaur are exposed. Perhaps this display was designed to be turned round or rotated so that a model of the skeleton could be seen. The caption related to this remarkable figure reads” Victorian dinosaur model of a Stegosaur”. In addition, the text panel includes the line “Stegosaur became extinct 66 million years ago.”
It seems apt to have an inaccurate display panel associated with an inaccurate model of a Stegosaurus. However, the figure is endearing, and we are sure it delights young children that visit the museum.
Museums frequently use dinosaur models to bring fossils to life. These displays help visitors visualise what dinosaurs might have looked like. They make the past more tangible. These figures serve as a bridge between science and art, blending facts with creativity licence.
The mother Stegosaurus is protecting her baby. A modern interpretation of a Stegosaurus.
The image (above) shows an adult Stegosaurus with a juvenile. This pair of stegosaurs was introduced by PNSO back in 2021.
To view the range of PNSO prehistoric animal figures in stock: PNSO Dinosaur Models.
While we now have more accurate representations, there is something special about these vintage models. They remind us of the early days of palaeontology and our enduring fascination with prehistoric animals. Each model tells a story, inviting us to explore the wonders of our planet’s history.
A Victorian Dinosaur Model
Stegosaurus is an iconic dinosaur. With those huge plates and the spikes on the tail it is also one of the easiest to recognise.
Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“The Victorian stegosaur figure has a quirky appeal. It may not be scientifically accurate, but it has its own charm. We suspect this display figure has delighted tens of thousands of children who have visited the museum.”
The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Toys and Models.
Leave A Comment