20th May, 2022 10:30 GMT/BST
The James Harrison Collection of Birds
187
Taxidermy: A Late Victorian Cased Pair of Snowy Owls (Bubo scandiacus), circa 1844-1917, by James Gardner, Naturalists, To The Royal Family, 52, High Holburn, and 292, Oxford Street, a pair of full mount adults, the male with head turning to the right, the female facing directly ahead, both stood upon painted faux rock ledges amidst a natural setting of tall grasses, ferns and fauna, set against a graduated pale blue and pink painted interior, enclosed within a large typical period ebonised single-glass display case, 82cm by 35.5cm by 91, bearing taxidermist's small paper trade label to interior left. The company of James Gardner was known as a purveyor of very high quality diorama cases and held Royal Warrants for Her Majesty Queen Victoria, The Royal Families of England & France and His Highness The Khedive of Egypt, thus establishing their name in the annals of taxidermy history.
Sold for £2,400
Estimated at £1,200 - £1,800
Auction: The James Harrison Collection of Birds, 20th May, 2022
The James Harrison Collection comprises over 200 lots of cased and freemount birds dating from the late Victorian era to the middle of the 20th century. The collection includes rare and unusual examples, such as a passenger pigeon and a kiwi, as well as mounts by the likes of Rowland Ward, James Gardner, Charles Kirk and George Bristow.
James Maurice Harrison (1892-1971) was an ornithologist and one of the last great bird collectors, who gathered large numbers of specimens to study moult patterns, distribution, geographical and colour variation within and between species. A GP by profession, Harrison filled his family home and Doctor's Surgery, Bowerwood House in Kent, with his extraordinary collection.
Viewing
Wednesday 18th May 10:00am - 4:00pm, Thursday 19th May 10:00am - 4:00pm, and the morning of the sale from 8am. Viewing is open to the public, there is no need to make an appointment.
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