Taxidermy Pair of European Snipes by Joseph Cullingford of Durham, Dated to 1898

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Taxidermy Pair of European Snipes by Joseph Cullingford of Durham, Dated to 1898

About the Item

The beautifully preserved male and female common European snipes (Gallinago gallinago) poised in opposing positions, the female stood, with the male rendered in flight, housed within a typical Cullingford glazed museum case being square and faux oak painted, the interior beautifully sparse with buff paper backing and lacking in simulated habitat, the whole preserved by Joseph Cullingford of Durham on September 3rd 1898, and signed and dated thus. The overall composition is of a very high quality and the specimens are in good condition with expected light fade to the plumage but nothing out of the ordinary. The glazing and case are all original and the rest of the composition is very well preserved with expected light wear to the case and light spotting to the paper and inner glass, with a hanging hook added for wall mounting. The signature and date to the bottom left facing corner is clear and is typically in pencil reading ‘Winnet, Sep. 3rd, 1898, J Cullingford’. We are not entirely sure what the mark for ‘Winnet’ is as it doesn’t appear to be a place name, it may well read ‘winner’ if it had been entered into a taxidermists competition at the time or it may be the surname of a client who commissioned it. Further research may prove fruitful in this regard. Snipe are medium sized, skulking wading birds with short legs and long straight bills. Both sexes are mottled brown above, with paler buff stripes on the back, dark streaks on the chest and pale under parts. They are widespread as a breeding species in the UK. During the breeding season snipe are best look for on moorland, especially on early spring mornings when males can be heard giving their 'drumming' or 'bleating' display. Joseph Cullingford (one of three brothers) of Durham was responsible for some of the finest taxidermy crafted during the late Victorian period and was appointed Curator of the University Museum, Palace Green, Durham in 1877. Although clearly operating on a commercial basis, Cullingford was employed at the Museum throughout most of his working life. From his Headed notepaper, it seems he had an arrangement enabling him to work privately whilst in the museum's employ. An exquisite piece of artful taxidermy for the purist.

Creator:
Joseph Cullingford (Workshop/Studio)
Dimensions:
Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)Width: 18 in (45.72 cm)Depth: 9.5 in (24.13 cm)
Style:
Late Victorian (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Feathers
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
1890-1899
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1898
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. Please see description for full condition report and photographs for visual reference.
Seller Location:
Bedford, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: 17201stDibs: LU194439190361