20th May, 2022 10:30 GMT/BST
The James Harrison Collection of Birds
199
Taxidermy: A Fine Cased Late Victorian Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta ), dated 1894, a fine example of a full mount female with head turning slightly to the left, stood upon painted faux rockwork, amidst a natural setting of reeds and tall grasses, above pebble and soil covered groundwork, set against a pale blue watercolour painted interior, enclosed within a typical period ebonised single-glass display case, 46.5cm by 16.5cm by 43cm, bearing hand written label to front glass - Avocet ♀, (Recurvirostra avosetta), Bulverhythe, Sussex, Nov 19th, 1894.
Sold for £550
Estimated at £250 - £350
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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