Norwich, T. E. Gunn, pre 1923. Taxidermy cased (41 x 31 x 17 cm) in naturalistic setting. Black wooden case with glass front; interior painted light blue.

A fine, wonderfully preserved, stuffed and cased specimen of a female common kestrel, Falco tinnunculus Linnaeus. [German: Turmfalke; French: faucon crécerelles; Dutch: torenvalk]. This falcon is one of the most successful birds-of-prey in the temperate regions of the Old World, occurring in a wide variety of landscapes. It preys on mice and other small animals. "The kestrel was once used to drive and keep away pigeons" (Wikipedia). This specimen probably dates from the late 19th or early 20th century. The case differs from most such cases in having a more detailed and naturalistic setting. This must be the work of the renowned British taxidermist T. E. Gunn. There is no label of the firm, but we have seen very similar cases which are doubtlessly from this firm, moreover this item could be traced to the Norwich area. "Thomas Gunn...was born at Norwich in Norfolk.... Gunn was apprenticed to John Sayer, a Norwich taxidermist, taking over the business on Sayer's death. A master craftsman, Gunn won medals and honours for his skill in the art of taxidermy.... He ran the business [until] 1923 bearing his name. His son Frederick retired from his father's business in 1941.... The firm closed its doors in 1950" (from the website, taxidermy4cash dotcom). Case with some wear, the interior clean and fresh. A beautiful example of taxidermy as a skill and an art. Please note: shipping overseas may be troublesome, please inquire first. We do not ship this item outside the EU.