An important historical taxidermy from a Private Country House Collection in North Yorkshire sold for a total hammer price of £36,790 for sixty-two lots. 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. A treasure trove of interesting items of natural history, highlights selling well above estimate included a Late Victorian Cased Display of Eagles by James Gardner (sold for £6,500 all figures exclude buyer’s premium), a Cased Little Spotted Kiwi (sold for £4,500), and a Late Victorian Cased Pair of Greater Flamingo by James Gardner (sold for £3,200).
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Private Country House Collection Leads Natural History Sale
The third instalment of the Dean Fields Collection also saw continued interest, and the fourth part coming will be coming up for sale up in 2026. Notable results included a Large Cased Golden Eagle by A.J. Armitstead (sold for £5,500), and a Wall Cased Red Kite by A.J. Armitstead (sold for £1,800). 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.
Highlights from other vendors in the sale included a North American Black Bear Cub by Brian Lancaster of Bedale (sold for £4,300), a Late Victorian Australasian & Oceanic Tropical Bird Firescreen or Room Divider by George Ashmead & Co. (sold for £1,500), and American Bald Eagle by Carl Church of Pickering (sold for £5,000), and an African Leopard Skeleton (sold for £2,200).
The sale realised a total hammer price of £124,300 for the 230 lots, and a 93% sold rate.
The sale of Specimens and Material derived from Endangered Species
All auction entries at Tennants are sold strictly in accordance with CITES (The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna) regulations, and any necessary licences or Pre-sale approvals are obtained from Animal Health, Bristol.
