Marco Polo's Argali (Ovis ammon poli), Tagdumbash, Afghanistan, 1906, by Rowland Ward, shoulder...

Marco Polo's Argali (Ovis ammon poli), Tagdumbash, Afghanistan, 1906, by Rowland Ward, shoulder mount, right horn 143cm, left horn 143.5cm, tip to tip 107cm, on oak shield with cartouche, the reverse with Rowland Ward Ltd, The Jungle, 167 Piccadilly, London W1 label and impressed mark RW See illustration

This fine sheep was first reported to western science by Marco Polo approximately 700 years ago. It carries perhaps nature's finest horns which are deeply wrinkled, attractively coloured and curved in a complete circle then sweeping outwards in a bold sweep