Taxidermy display
John Hancock (1808-1890)
Category
Natural History / Taxidermy
Date
1857
Materials
Display case with taxidermy Gyrfalcon, King Eider and stoat/ermine
Measurements
1220 mm (H); 855 mm (W); 700 mm (D)
Order this imageCollection
Cragside, Northumberland
NT 1229324
Caption
This case epitomises Hancock’s attempts to display his taxidermy ‘in action’. The gyr falcon has just struck down a king eider (another Arctic bird), with a stoat attempting to steal part of the meal. Sadly the case is rather faded now, but the heavy plate glass Hancock used makes it difficult to move it away from the light. Cragside’s owner, Lord Armstrong was a major patron of Hancock and local natural history. Hancock was a keen falconer and his gorged falcon (1230195) shows keenly observed detail, setting up the bird in a restful pose, with leg raised, full crop and remnants of its last meal skilfully modelled in coloured wax.
Summary
Stuffed Gyrfalcon with King Eider as prey, with stoat/ermine, by John Hancock (1808-1890). Dated 1857. Gyrfalcon has outstretched wings. Under a brass-mounted glazed case on an oak base.
Provenance
Armstrong collection. Transferred by the Treasury to The National Trust in 1977 via the National Land Fund, aided by 3rd Baron Armstrong of Bamburgh and Cragside (1919 - 1987).
Makers and roles
John Hancock (1808-1890), taxidermist