A PAIR OF EXTREMELY RARE VICTORIAN DISPLAY CABINETS WITH TAXIDERMY RESPLENDENT QUETZAL (PHAROMACHRUS MOCINNO), COTINGA AND HUMMINGBIRDS, ATTRIBUTED TO HENRY WARD (1812-1878)

England, late 19th century

One with a central branch sprouting from rockwork base, with two naturalistically mounted male Resplendent Quetzal, vibrantly coloured, one resting, one showing its elaborate plumage, as well as a taxidermy Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus), and approximately 25 hummingbirds, amongst others possibly the Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus) and several blue and purple crested hummingbird.
The other with a central branch sprouting from rockwork base, with two naturalistically mounted male Resplendent Quetzal, vibrantly coloured, one resting, one showing its elaborate plumage and one Crested Quetzal (Pharomachrus Antisianus), as well as a Blue Cotinga (Cotinga nattererii) and approximately 23 hummingbirds, amongst others possibly the Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus) and several blue and purple crested hummingbirds.
Both plain wood cases glazed, with decorative bamboo covering.

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H. 83 x W. 61 x D. 18 cm (each)

Provenance:
Noble collection, United Kingdom

Note:
This pair of cabinets belongs to the most important pieces made by Henry Ward, of which another, i.e. a fire-screen, is in our collection. The colours of the birds are still in excellent condition, which adds to the extreme rarity of this pair.

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Zebregs&Röell highly values the natural world, and therefore only trades in antique specimens or animals that died of natural cause. We hope that these might spark a bit of love for the natural world. We value the pieces that are already there, hunted and made in a time the human race thought mother nature was inexhaustible, we are against hunting for pleasure or for new taxidermy.

 

Please note that all our pieces come with a 'pre-1947 statement' - although purchase is at your own risk, we are glad to be of service with obtaining CITES documents, although purchasing is at your own responsibility.