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ID #SA1233950
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£1,600
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Victorian Taxidermy: A Trio of Bantams by Local Cotswold Taxidermist J Griffiths of Burford Circa 1870
For sale by Kendall House Antiques Ltd.
for sale €1,872     $2,032
£1,600
Kendall House Antiques Ltd.

Kendall House Antiques Ltd.

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2022
Browse dealers 150 items
  • About Us
    Kendall house antiques a traditional shop in the north cotswold’s market town of chipping campden.
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Victorian Taxidermy: A Trio of Bantams by Local Cotswold Taxidermist J Griffiths of Burford Circa 1870

19th century
Description

Victorian Taxidermy: A Trio of Bantams by Local Cotswold Taxidermist J Griffiths of Burford.

Circa 1870.

An early box type case, ebonised and glazed just to the front with its original pain of wavy hand floated glass. The birds modelled beautifully by a talented hand and retain their full colour. Griffiths small trade label can be found pasted to the inside of the case to the lower left 'J. Griffith Bird & Animal Preserver, High St., Burford’

James Griffith: Born in Cirencester in 1816, he was a cooper by trade (barrel maker) all his working life, who also did taxidermy. This is not as unusual as it sounds, some early independent taxidermists especially in the more rural areas struggling possibly for commissions would often combine trades. We know from directories he lived at the Wheatsheaf in Burford (Cotswolds) around 1868. After his wife Rebbeca died in 1883, he moved to London to live with his son, and died in 1889.

This fine case we offer for sale here, is the only example of this particular taxidermist work I have ever come across or are familiar with. Until today, I had not even heard of his name, again this is not necessarily unusual, as at the time this particular case of taxidermy was being prepared, the art of taxidermy was exploding on to the scene, with virtually every city town and village supporting at least one taxidermist. It is easy to forget, but in this period, taxidermy was a massive industry. Needless to say, this produced many taxidermists that are today lost to oblivion, forgotten, many were awful, and produced nothing of note, but occasionally, these unheard-of taxidermists turn up today, and even rarer they turn up being really good, as with this case. I hope this case goes to good home, it deserves it.

50.5cm high x 60.5cm wide x 28.5cm deep

Date of Manufacture

Kendall House Antiques Ltd. has dated this Victorian Bantam Taxidermy Case to the 1870s.

Physical Dimensions
Height
50.5cm (19.88")
Width
60.5cm (23.82")
Depth
28.5cm (11.22")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1233950
Dealers Internal Reference
26840
Dealers Notes

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Shop Opening Hours: Thursday – Sunday 10:00am – 4:00pm

Out of hours appointments can be arranged just give us a call.

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Description
Victorian Taxidermy: A Trio of Bantams by Local Cotswold Taxidermist J Griffiths of Burford.

Circa 1870.

“
An early box type case, ebonised and glazed just to the front with its original pain of wavy hand floated glass.
Kendall House Antiques Ltd.

The birds modelled beautifully by a talented hand and retain their full colour. Griffiths small trade label can be found pasted to the inside of the case to the lower left 'J. Griffith Bird & Animal Preserver, High St., Burford’

fig 1. A Victorian glazed black wooden case containing three taxidermy bantam chickens set within a naturalistic mossy landscape against a pale background.
fig 1. Victorian Taxidermy: A Trio of Bantams by Local Cotswold Taxidermist J Griffiths of Burford Circa 1870

James Griffith: Born in Cirencester in 1816, he was a cooper by trade (barrel maker) all his working life, who also did taxidermy. This is not as unusual as it sounds, some early independent taxidermists especially in the more rural areas struggling possibly for commissions would often combine trades. We know from directories he lived at the Wheatsheaf in Burford (Cotswolds) around 1868. After his wife Rebbeca died in 1883, he moved to London to live with his son, and died in 1889.

fig 2. A Victorian glazed black wooden case containing three taxidermy bantam chickens set within a naturalistic mossy landscape against a pale background.
fig 2. Victorian Taxidermy: A Trio of Bantams by Local Cotswold Taxidermist J Griffiths of Burford Circa 1870

This fine case we offer for sale here, is the only example of this particular taxidermist work I have ever come across or are familiar with. Until today, I had not even heard of his name, again this is not necessarily unusual, as at the time this particular case of taxidermy was being prepared, the art of taxidermy was exploding on to the scene, with virtually every city town and village supporting at least one taxidermist. It is easy to forget, but in this period, taxidermy was a massive industry. Needless to say, this produced many taxidermists that are today lost to oblivion, forgotten, many were awful, and produced nothing of note, but occasionally, these unheard-of taxidermists turn up today, and even rarer they turn up being really good, as with this case. I hope this case goes to good home, it deserves it.

50.5cm high x 60.5cm wide x 28.5cm deep

Date of Manufacture

Kendall House Antiques Ltd. has dated this Victorian Bantam Taxidermy Case to the 1870s.

Height
50.5cm (19.88")
Width
60.5cm (23.82")
Depth
28.5cm (11.22")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1233950
Dealers Internal Ref
26840
Kendall House Antiques Ltd.
Kendall House Antiques Ltd.
Sellingantiques verified Since May 2022

Kendall house antiques a traditional shop in the north cotswold’s market town of chipping campden.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Kendall House Antiques Ltd. Profile Page

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A Victorian glazed black wooden case containing three taxidermy bantam chickens set within a naturalistic mossy landscape against a pale background.
1 / 5
Archive I A Victorian glazed black wooden case containing three taxidermy bantam chickens set within a naturalistic mossy landscape against a pale background.

Victorian Taxidermy: A Trio of Bantams by Local Cotswold Taxidermist J Griffiths of Burford Circa 1870

Archive II A Victorian glazed black wooden case containing three taxidermy bantam chickens set within a naturalistic mossy landscape against a pale background. View II
Archive III A Victorian glazed black wooden case containing three taxidermy bantam chickens set within a naturalistic mossy landscape against a pale background. View III
Archive IV A Victorian glazed black wooden case containing three taxidermy bantam chickens set within a naturalistic mossy landscape against a pale background. View IV
Archive V A Victorian glazed black wooden case containing three taxidermy bantam chickens set within a naturalistic mossy landscape against a pale background. View V
Enlarged Archival View
Kendall House Antiques Ltd.

Kendall House Antiques Ltd.
Telephone 07880 602715
Location
Kendall House
High Street
Chipping Campden
Gloucestershire
GL55 6AG 7
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/kendallhouse
Verified Since May 2022
Items For Sale 150
Items Sold 461
Kendall House Antiques Ltd.
Kendall House Antiques Ltd.
Verified Since May 2022
View Dealer Info
Location: Kendall House, High Street, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, GL55 6AG 7, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/kendallhouse
Verified
May 2022
For Sale
150
Sold
461
A Victorian glazed black wooden case containing three taxidermy bantam chickens set within a naturalistic mossy landscape against a pale background.
Victorian Taxidermy: A Trio of Bantams by Local Cotswold Taxidermist J Griffiths of Burford Circa 1870
Ref: SA1233950
A Victorian glazed black wooden case containing three taxidermy bantam chickens set within a naturalistic mossy landscape against a pale background.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectTaxidermy
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialWood, Glass, Preserved Specimens, Moss
  • ColourBrown, Black, Cream
  • MotifsGlazed case, Naturalistic moss mount, Faux rock pedestal, Three-bird composition
  • SizeH 50.5 cm (20 in) x W 60.5 cm (24 in) x D 28.5 cm (11 in)

This Victorian taxidermy piece from 1870 is a glazed wooden case containing a trio of preserved bantam chickens set within a naturalistic moss mount against a pale background. The ebonised box features a front opening with its original wavy hand-floated glass panel, a faux rock pedestal, and a trade label pasted to the lower left interior. The preserved specimens display brown, black, and cream plumage in a three-bird composition. The overall dimensions measure 50.5 cm high, 60.5 cm wide, and 28.5 cm deep. In a contemporary home, this display piece sits on a sideboard top to add Victorian character to a living space, hallway, or study.

FAQs

During the 19th century, Victorian bird taxidermy cases typically showcased preserved specimens mounted in realistic naturalistic settings within glass-fronted wooden boxes, reflecting the eras fascination with natural history and domestic display.

Keep cases out of direct sunlight to prevent feather fading, maintain stable humidity to protect the organic mounts, and clean the glass frame gently using a dry microfibre cloth.

Cased taxidermy works effectively as a focal statement piece placed on a sideboard, mantelpiece, or within a study alongside books and natural history curiosities.

Authentic 19th-century taxidermy often features handmade glass with slight distortions, period paper trade labels from specific taxidermists, hand-painted background scenes, and age-appropriate wear to the timber frame.

Traditional cases utilised blown glass, glazed wooden frames, papier-mache or carved wooden rocks, dried mosses, and real bird specimens treated with period preservatives.
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