Red squirrel
William Hart & Son, Preservers of Birds and Beasts (fl. mid 19th century)
Category
Natural History / Taxidermy
Date
circa 1900
Materials
Display case with posed taxidermy squirrels
Measurements
387 mm (H); 482 mm (W); 178 mm (D)
Place of origin
Christchurch
Order this imageCollection
Castle Ward, County Down (Accredited Museum)
NT 836091.1
Caption
A similar set was displayed at the Great Exhibition 1851 but the CW collection is thought to have been bought later in the century. Interestingly, the Castle Ward squirrels wear boxing gloves! Gloves became mandatory after 1867 when the Queensbury rules came into force. Pictured here is the first of a set of five boxing squirrels. 1. Squirrel opponents shaking hands. 2. Squirrel opponents preparing to fight. 3. Red squirrel punching blue squirrel. 4. Blue squirrel falling to the ground. 5. Victorious red squirrel stands over blue squirrel. Anthropomorphic taxidermy amused the Victorians and the Edwardians. Kittens and rabbits were used in scenes by Walter Potter ( 1835-1918) and were housed in the Walter Potter Museum in Bramber, West Sussex until the 70’s.
Summary
A case containing 'Boxing Squirrels' by the Victorian taxidermist, Edward Hart. 5th Viscount Bangor's living sculpture of a tableau of red squirrels in boxing poses. Squirrel opponents shaking hands.
Provenance
Purchased from the 7th Lord Bangor in 1967 with a grant from the Ulster Land Fund.
Makers and roles
William Hart & Son, Preservers of Birds and Beasts (fl. mid 19th century), taxidermist Edward Hart (1847-1928), taxidermist