Victorian diorama of Nepalese Pheasants c 1850
Victorian diorama of Nepalese Pheasants c 1850
41" wide, 12" deep, 42" tall.
£1350
This stunning bespoke mahogany case with removable glass front holds four beautiful pheasants arranged in a small tree.
Top left is the Cheer Pheasant found mainly in western Nepal with buffy grey plumage and long, grey crests. Its long tail has 18 feathers and the central tail feathers are much longer.
Top right is the Kalij Pheasants found in forests at the Himalayan foothills and a close cousin to the silver pheasant.
Bottom left is a male Himalayan Monal (Impeyan) pheasant (the National bird of Nepal) with multicoloured plumage including a long, metallic green crest, coppery feathers on the back and neck, and a prominent white rump that is most visible when the bird is in flight.
Bottom right is the female Himalayan Monal Pheasant with prominent white patch on the throat and a white strip on the tail
How did pheasants come to the UK ?
The Romans likely brought them as gamebirds as pheasant bones have been found in numerous Roman archaeological sites. The pheasant disappears until 1059 when King Harold (of Battle of Hastings fame) offered the canons of Waltham Abbey a ‘common pheasant’ instead of the usual brace of partridge.
The Normans popularised the pheasant as a gamebird with their population increasing significantly and Henry VIII appointed a French priest as a ‘fesaunt breeder’. The burgeoning population almost became extinct in the 17th Century due to woodland clearances and the reintroductions were made in 19th Century. Driven shoots became more popular with the invention of the double-barrelled shotgun in the middle of the 19th Century.
It is unlikely that these particular breeds are used for sport anymore with the late HRH The Duke of Edinburgh taking part in what was probably the last ever Impeyan pheasant drive, organised by the Wali of Swat in Pakistan, when he visited in the Sixties.
Short History of Taxidermy
Victorian taxidermy was a popular art form that involved preserving animals for display or study. It was a product of the Victorian era's scientific exploration and interest in nature. The origins of taxidermy are not clear, but the artform became popular following the Great Exhibition of 1851.
After the exhibition, Victorians began to use mounted animals as a popular interior design item, as it brought nature into their home and was a way to showcase their wealth,
John Cooper – Taxidermist
Cooper's was established in 1825.
The first John Cooper, originally a watch-maker, set up his business in Radnor Street, St. Luke's, London. His son (also John) joined and took over the business in 1872. It was during the life of John (II) that Cooper's became renowned across the world with customers as far away as New Zealand, Canada, India and Mexico and with patrons of status including the late Duke of Edinburgh.
Around 1850 the business specialised in fish taxidermy and became famous for that the world over.
In 1896 the business became J. Cooper & Sons when John (II) was joined by his sons. Later, in the 1940's they moved to bath Road, Hounslow, but the company disbanded in the 1950s.
Victorian diorama of Nepalese Pheasants c 1850
41" wide, 12" deep, 42" tall.
£1350
This stunning bespoke mahogany case with removable glass front holds four beautiful pheasants arranged in a small tree.
Top left is the Cheer Pheasant found mainly in western Nepal with buffy grey plumage and long, grey crests. Its long tail has 18 feathers and the central tail feathers are much longer.
Top right is the Kalij Pheasants found in forests at the Himalayan foothills and a close cousin to the silver pheasant.
Bottom left is a male Himalayan Monal (Impeyan) pheasant (the National bird of Nepal) with multicoloured plumage including a long, metallic green crest, coppery feathers on the back and neck, and a prominent white rump that is most visible when the bird is in flight.
Bottom right is the female Himalayan Monal Pheasant with prominent white patch on the throat and a white strip on the tail
How did pheasants come to the UK ?
The Romans likely brought them as gamebirds as pheasant bones have been found in numerous Roman archaeological sites. The pheasant disappears until 1059 when King Harold (of Battle of Hastings fame) offered the canons of Waltham Abbey a ‘common pheasant’ instead of the usual brace of partridge.
The Normans popularised the pheasant as a gamebird with their population increasing significantly and Henry VIII appointed a French priest as a ‘fesaunt breeder’. The burgeoning population almost became extinct in the 17th Century due to woodland clearances and the reintroductions were made in 19th Century. Driven shoots became more popular with the invention of the double-barrelled shotgun in the middle of the 19th Century.
It is unlikely that these particular breeds are used for sport anymore with the late HRH The Duke of Edinburgh taking part in what was probably the last ever Impeyan pheasant drive, organised by the Wali of Swat in Pakistan, when he visited in the Sixties.
Short History of Taxidermy
Victorian taxidermy was a popular art form that involved preserving animals for display or study. It was a product of the Victorian era's scientific exploration and interest in nature. The origins of taxidermy are not clear, but the artform became popular following the Great Exhibition of 1851.
After the exhibition, Victorians began to use mounted animals as a popular interior design item, as it brought nature into their home and was a way to showcase their wealth,
John Cooper – Taxidermist
Cooper's was established in 1825.
The first John Cooper, originally a watch-maker, set up his business in Radnor Street, St. Luke's, London. His son (also John) joined and took over the business in 1872. It was during the life of John (II) that Cooper's became renowned across the world with customers as far away as New Zealand, Canada, India and Mexico and with patrons of status including the late Duke of Edinburgh.
Around 1850 the business specialised in fish taxidermy and became famous for that the world over.
In 1896 the business became J. Cooper & Sons when John (II) was joined by his sons. Later, in the 1940's they moved to bath Road, Hounslow, but the company disbanded in the 1950s.
Victorian diorama of Nepalese Pheasants c 1850
41" wide, 12" deep, 42" tall.
£1350
This stunning bespoke mahogany case with removable glass front holds four beautiful pheasants arranged in a small tree.
Top left is the Cheer Pheasant found mainly in western Nepal with buffy grey plumage and long, grey crests. Its long tail has 18 feathers and the central tail feathers are much longer.
Top right is the Kalij Pheasants found in forests at the Himalayan foothills and a close cousin to the silver pheasant.
Bottom left is a male Himalayan Monal (Impeyan) pheasant (the National bird of Nepal) with multicoloured plumage including a long, metallic green crest, coppery feathers on the back and neck, and a prominent white rump that is most visible when the bird is in flight.
Bottom right is the female Himalayan Monal Pheasant with prominent white patch on the throat and a white strip on the tail
How did pheasants come to the UK ?
The Romans likely brought them as gamebirds as pheasant bones have been found in numerous Roman archaeological sites. The pheasant disappears until 1059 when King Harold (of Battle of Hastings fame) offered the canons of Waltham Abbey a ‘common pheasant’ instead of the usual brace of partridge.
The Normans popularised the pheasant as a gamebird with their population increasing significantly and Henry VIII appointed a French priest as a ‘fesaunt breeder’. The burgeoning population almost became extinct in the 17th Century due to woodland clearances and the reintroductions were made in 19th Century. Driven shoots became more popular with the invention of the double-barrelled shotgun in the middle of the 19th Century.
It is unlikely that these particular breeds are used for sport anymore with the late HRH The Duke of Edinburgh taking part in what was probably the last ever Impeyan pheasant drive, organised by the Wali of Swat in Pakistan, when he visited in the Sixties.
Short History of Taxidermy
Victorian taxidermy was a popular art form that involved preserving animals for display or study. It was a product of the Victorian era's scientific exploration and interest in nature. The origins of taxidermy are not clear, but the artform became popular following the Great Exhibition of 1851.
After the exhibition, Victorians began to use mounted animals as a popular interior design item, as it brought nature into their home and was a way to showcase their wealth,
John Cooper – Taxidermist
Cooper's was established in 1825.
The first John Cooper, originally a watch-maker, set up his business in Radnor Street, St. Luke's, London. His son (also John) joined and took over the business in 1872. It was during the life of John (II) that Cooper's became renowned across the world with customers as far away as New Zealand, Canada, India and Mexico and with patrons of status including the late Duke of Edinburgh.
Around 1850 the business specialised in fish taxidermy and became famous for that the world over.
In 1896 the business became J. Cooper & Sons when John (II) was joined by his sons. Later, in the 1940's they moved to bath Road, Hounslow, but the company disbanded in the 1950s.