FDA-A.2172-2020
Parts
Object number
FDA-A.2172-2020
Object type
Identification
Title
NMH Bamboo Case
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
Description
Bamboo and glass display cabinet, early 20th century, rectangular form, containing a taxidermy Ichang tufted deer and a skull, on a wooden plinth, concealed drawer in the frieze
Comments
‘Leatham's greatest scientific achievement was to obtain, on 15 January 1904, a specimen of a previously unknown species of deer, high in the mountains near Ichang, Hupei Province, Central China. The skull and skin of the deer were taken to the Natural History Museum, where Mr R. Lydekker, determined it was a new species Elaphodus ichangensis (see Display 3). The specimen was later stuffed and mounted in a bamboo case by Rowland Ward (Display 4). It became much faded but has now been restored to its original colour. Restoration of the specimen courtesy of Mark Winston-Smith; restoration of the case courtesy Simon Trodd'.
There is a book ‘Sport in Five Continents' by A E Leatham (1912). The author was a highly skilled game hunter and hunted throughout the world, including Africa. In 1900, he was in British East Africa hunting lion near Lucania Hill, hippopotamus on the Athi River and buffalo near the heights of the Donio Sabuk. He also included in his book hunting tufted deer near Ichang along the Yangtze River in China. He bequeathed his hunting trophies to the Natural History Museum at Eton College.
James Rowland Ward (1848–1912), was a British taxidermist and founder of the firm Rowland Ward Limited of Piccadilly, London. The company specialised in and was renowned for its taxidermy work on birds and big-game trophies, but it did other types of work as well. In creating many practical items from antlers, feathers, feet, skins, and tusks, the Rowland Ward company made items from animal parts, such as zebra-hoof inkwells, antler furniture, and elephant-feet umbrella stands which were fashionable in their day.
Rowland Ward was also a well-known publisher of natural history books and big-game hunting narratives. The most famous and enduring Rowland Ward Ltd. product is the Records of Big Game series of books, which started in 1892 and is now in its twenty-ninth edition (2014). These books contain measurements of game animals from all over the world and is the oldest such series of books in existence.
There is a book ‘Sport in Five Continents' by A E Leatham (1912). The author was a highly skilled game hunter and hunted throughout the world, including Africa. In 1900, he was in British East Africa hunting lion near Lucania Hill, hippopotamus on the Athi River and buffalo near the heights of the Donio Sabuk. He also included in his book hunting tufted deer near Ichang along the Yangtze River in China. He bequeathed his hunting trophies to the Natural History Museum at Eton College.
James Rowland Ward (1848–1912), was a British taxidermist and founder of the firm Rowland Ward Limited of Piccadilly, London. The company specialised in and was renowned for its taxidermy work on birds and big-game trophies, but it did other types of work as well. In creating many practical items from antlers, feathers, feet, skins, and tusks, the Rowland Ward company made items from animal parts, such as zebra-hoof inkwells, antler furniture, and elephant-feet umbrella stands which were fashionable in their day.
Rowland Ward was also a well-known publisher of natural history books and big-game hunting narratives. The most famous and enduring Rowland Ward Ltd. product is the Records of Big Game series of books, which started in 1892 and is now in its twenty-ninth edition (2014). These books contain measurements of game animals from all over the world and is the oldest such series of books in existence.
Description
Dimensions
height (actual size): 840mm
width (actual size): 1080mm
depth (actual size): 460mm
width (actual size): 1080mm
depth (actual size): 460mm
Inscription
With an inscribed label in the case: ‘ICHANG TUFTED DEER, / ELAPHODUS ICHANGENSIS, / Shot by A. E. Leatham, in the / mountains, 100 miles S. of / Ichang, on the Yangtse River; / in the province of Hupei, Central / China. 7th Jan. 1904.'
Material
bamboo
glass
glass
Physical description
Bamboo and glass display cabinet; of rectangular form, glazed sides and top, containing a taxidermy Ichang tufted deer, with a concealed frieze drawer with brass handle, together with a skull on a rectangular wooden plinth
Production
Person
Ward, Rowland (Maker)
Date
1905-1920
