I can see it used in a rather jokey take on various period decorative details; like,say, a piece of carving taken from a Chippendale mirror.

No, TA, personally I would not enjoy a stags head on my wall but you have to remember this link is from the USA where decorative hunting items are very popular....to each their own.  

Strangely enough many years ago I made a three-dimensional summer fireplace screen; I used  17th & 18th Century still life paintings of flowers in ceramic vasesas inspiration. I made cut outs of single flowers (from decorative wrapping papers) applied to foam board &  made a half pot by moulding it of papier-mache over a vase I had & covering the end result with a blue & white design from another wrapping paper. I assembled the flowers in the half pot & stood that against a large board (also covered in flowers as a background). I still have it to hide my wood-stove in the summer. If I can get my camera working I will take a photo. I am surprised it lasted so long....it has to be nearly 20 years old. I suppose years of prop-making in the theatre pays off at home.