Antique 19th C Victorian Dome of 12 tropical birds by James Gardner Sr 1870 ,variously perched on branches and groundwork ,under original glass dome on an ebonised base.
<1947
63 x 43 x 15 cm
1949
Sold
Further images
-
(View a larger image of thumbnail 1
)
-
(View a larger image of thumbnail 2
)
-
(View a larger image of thumbnail 3
)
-
(View a larger image of thumbnail 4
)
-
(View a larger image of thumbnail 5
)
-
(View a larger image of thumbnail 6
)
-
(View a larger image of thumbnail 7
)
-
(View a larger image of thumbnail 8
)
The British taxidermist and entomologist James Gardner Sr made this Victorian glass dome with exotic birds. His studio and shop were located at 52 High Holborn Street and later at 426 Oxford Street in London. His well-executed birds and mammals were prized by royals such as Queen Victoria. Besides freestanding domes such as this one, Gardner also made dioramas. Those significant ebonised box cases were provided with painted landscape backgrounds in watercolour or gouache.
Under the glass dome, we see different exotic bird species. For example, a superb Australian Fairywren (Malurus splendens) with blue and black plumage, a scarlet Tanagar or little songbird that lives in the canopy of the northwestern South American tropical forest in winter and in North America in spring, a green parrot etc.