12th Nov, 2025 10:30 GMT/BST
Natural History & Taxidermy
67
Taxidermy: A Wall Cased European Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus), circa early 20th century, by Henry Murray & Son, Naturalists & Taxidermists, Bank Buildings, Carnforth, a full-mount adult looking straight ahead, perched upon a small branch above simulated floating groundwork, amidst dry natural grasses, set against a watercolour painted lake and meadow scene backdrop, enclosed within a wall-hanging oak-framed five-glass display case, 32cm by 8cm by 24.5cm excluding outer frame, bearing reproduced taxidermist's paper trade label to interior upper right and verso
Sold for £200
Estimated at £180 - £280
Restoration carried out by A.J. Armitstead, Taxidermy, Darlington, replacement case, glass, and reproduced trade labels, original groundwork - and bird specimen
We are happy to provide Condition Reports to Prospective Buyers, but would welcome your request as soon as possible, preferably at least 48 hours before the Day of Sale.
We cannot guarantee a reply to any requests made within 48 hours of the start of the auction. The absence of a condition report from a lot does not mean that the lot is in perfect condition.
A Condition Report is an honest expression of our opinion, not a statement of fact and is provided as a service to the Seller. All lots are available on public view ahead of an auction and we encourage people to see an item in person when possible.
Our Condition Reports are not prepared by professional conservators, restorers or engineers, and are prepared with the naked eye unless otherwise stated.
Works are not examined out of the frame, unless specifically stated. We accept no liability for the opinions expressed in any Condition Report.
Tennants Auctioneers do not cover damage to gilded wood or plaster picture frames, or to picture frame glass whilst the item is in our possession.
Auction: Natural History & Taxidermy, 12th Nov, 2025
The sale will include important historical taxidermy from a Private Country House Collection in North Yorkshire (lots 170-231). Never having appeared on the market before, the specimens were collected by the family in the late 19th and early 20th century and prepared by leading taxidermists of the day such as Rowland Ward, James Gardner, and Pretoria-based J.R. Ivy. The 62-lot collection is a treasure trove of interesting items of natural history, including such highlights as a Cased Little Spotted Kiwi (estimate: £2,000-3,000), a Late Victorian Cased pair of Greater Flamingo by James Gardner (1844-1917) (estimate: £1,800-2,500), a Late Victorian Cased Display of Owls by James Gardner (estimate: £800-1,200), and an Indian Leopard Skin Rug in excellent condition (estimate £1,500-2,500).
The sale will also offer the third instalment of the Dean Fields Collection (with the fourth part coming up in 2026). Dean Field always had a love for nature and then outdoors, which extended to a fascination with taxidermy. In 1983 he met A.J. Armitstead (Tony), the renowned Darlington-based taxidermist, and the pair became lifelong friends. Over the years, Dean commissioned numerous pieces, and greatly admired Armitstead’s ability to create such beautiful, naturalistic scenes and poses of the specimens.
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Viewing
Sunday 9 November 11am-3pm, Monday 10 November - Tuesday 11 November 10am-5pm and morning of the sale from 8am
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