20th May, 2022 10:30 GMT/BST
The James Harrison Collection of Birds
209
Taxidermy: A Cased Diorama of Wading & Estuary Birds, dated 1872, Egypt, a high quality case comprising - Buff-backed Heron, Black-winged Stilt, Black and White Kingfisher (Pied Kingfisher), Spur-wing Plover, and Black-headed Plover, the Kingfisher in flight with wings outspread above the remaining birds mounted upon painted rock work beneath, amidst a natural setting of reeds and tall grasses, above natural pebbled groundwork, set against a watercolour painted back drop, enclosed within a typical period ebonised three-glass display case, 77cm by 27cm by 58.5cm, bearing label to interior lower left - Egypt, Buff-backed Heron, (Paddy Bird), Black-winged Stilt, Black and White Kingfisher, Spur-wing Plover, and a Black-headed Plover, (Trochilos of Herodotus), shot on the Nile, in 1872, by T. Parkin.
Sold for £550
Estimated at £350 - £450
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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