Trio of Antique Scottish Mounted Taxidermy Hunting Trophies, circa 1876

$1,721.25List Price

About the Item

A magnificent set of three antique blackbuck and Impala taxidermy mounted hunting trophies, circa 1876 in date. The trio are mounted on oak shields, the pair of Indian Blackbucks both have brass plaques, inscribed 'Presented to the depot 91st Highlanders by Major W. Gurney with paper labels on the reverse for William Hope, 44 George Street, Edinburgh. The Impala trophy has a paper label on the reverse for James Gardner, Oxford Street, London. A wonderful addition for the game lodge or a country house decor theme. Condition: In excellent condition. As antique items, the pieces show signs of use commensurate with age, these minor condition issues are mentioned for accuracy and, as seen in the accompanying photographs, the trophies display beautifully. Dimensions in cm: Height 71 x width 38 x depth 21, blackbuck Height 71 x width 38 x depth 21, blackbuck Height 67 x width 29 x depth 31, impala Dimensions in inches: Height 2 feet, 4 inches x width 1 foot, 3 inches x depth 8 inches, blackbuck Height 2 feet, 4 inches x width 1 foot, 3 inches x depth 8 inches, blackbuck Height 2 feet, 2 inches x width 11 inches x depth 1 foot, 0 inches, impala Maj. William Prescod Gurney, Argyllshire Highlanders: The wall plaque dedicated to Maj. Gurney in Holy Trinity Scottish Episcopal Church, Stirling reads: "To the memory of Major W. P. Gurney, who died at Mauritius on the 27th January 1880, from illness contracted during the Zulu Campaign, aged 45. This tablet is erected by his brother officers in token of their affectionate regard." Gurney was commissioned as an Ensign in the 91st Argyllshire Highlanders in 1854. He was promoted Lieutenant in 1855, Captain in 1860, Brevet Major in 1873 and Major in 1876. In January 1879, the British suffered a shock defeat at Isandlwana at the hands of a Zulu army and another British force was besieged at Eskowe. Realising that they were fighting a much more skilful and disciplined enemy than they had anticipated, the British sent strong reinforcements to Zululand, including the 91st Argyllshire Highlanders. On 2 April 1879, Major Gurney took part in the battle of Ginginhlovo (known to British soldiers as ‘gin, gin, I love you’). The Zulus suffered heavy losses trying to break the heavily armed British square and were forced to retreat. The 91st carried on to relieve Eskowe. There had been an outbreak of typhoid at Eskowe and this may be what killed Gurney. The Victorian era of the 91st Argyllshire Highlanders The Battle of Boomplaats, August 1848 The regiment regained its territorial designation being renamed the 91st (or Argyllshire) Regiment of Foot in November 1820. It embarked for the West Indies in June 1821 and was garrisoned in Jamaica before returning to England in 1831. Three companies were deployed to Saint Helena in November 1835 and with the exception of one detachment, then sailed on to South Africa in June 1839. The detachment that remained in Saint Helena was tasked with disinterring the body of the late Emperor Napoleon and taking it to Paris. In April 1842 the regiment formed a reserve battalion. The 1st Battalion took part in various actions in the 7th Xhosa War during 1846 and left South Africa for home in January 1848. Meanwhile the Reserve Battalion also took part in the 7th Xhosa War during 1846, then saw action against the Boers at the Battle of Boomplaats in August 1848 and went on to fight in the 8th Xhosa War during 1850. The Reserve Battalion left South Africa in July 1855 and continued life in the form of a series of depot companies until being formally disbanded in March 1857. The 1st Battalion embarked for Malta in December 1854 and for Greece in February 1855 before travelling on to the Ionian Islands in February 1857. It embarked for Alexandria in September 1858 and took the overground route to India to help suppress the Indian Rebellion. It was renamed the 91st (the Argyllshire Highlanders) Regiment of Foot in May 1864 and embarked for England in October 1868. Following the marriage between Princess Louise and John Campbell, Marquis of Lorne at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in March 1871, at which the regiment formed a guard of honour, the regiment was renamed the 91st (Princess Louise's Argyllshire Highlanders) Regiment of Foot in August 1872. It was then dispatched to South Africa in February 1879 for service in the Anglo-Zulu war and fought at the Battle of Gingindlovu in April 1879 before lifting the Siege of Eshowe later that month. As part of the Cardwell Reforms of the 1870s, where single-battalion regiments were linked together to share a single depot and recruiting district in the United Kingdom, the 91st was linked with the 72nd Regiment, Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders, and assigned to district no. 58 at Stirling Castle. On 1 July 1881 the Childers Reforms came into effect and the regiment amalgamated with the 93rd (Sutherland Highlanders) Regiment of Foot to form the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Taxidermy is the preserving of an animal's body via stuffing or mounting for the purpose of display or study. Animals are often, but not always, portrayed in a life-like state. The word taxidermy refers to the process of preserving the animal, but the word is also used to describe the end product, which are often called "mounts". The word taxidermy is derived from the Greek words "taxis" and "derma". Taxis means to "to move", and "derma" means "skin" (the dermis). The word taxidermy translates to "arrangement of skin". Taxidermy is practiced primarily on vertebrates mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and less commonly on amphibians but can also be done to larger insects and arachnids under some circumstances. Taxidermy takes on a number of forms and purposes, including natural history museum displays, hunting trophies, study skins, and is sometimes used as a means to memorialize pets. A person who practices taxidermy is called a taxidermist. They may practice professionally for museums or as businesses catering to hunters and fishermen, or as amateurs, such as hobbyists, hunters, and fishermen. A taxidermist is aided by familiarity with anatomy, sculpture, painting, and tanning. Please feel free to email or call us to arrange a viewing in our North London warehouse. Shipping: We ship worldwide and deliver to Mainland UK addresses free of charge. A shipping cost to all other destinations must be requested prior to purchase. Delivery and return policy: We require that someone be home on the agreed delivery day if applicable, otherwise a redelivery fee will apply. In accordance with Distance Selling Regulations, we offer a 14-day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the item. The item must be returned in its original packaging and condition. Unless the item is not as described in a material way, the buyer is responsible for return shipping expenses. Buyers are fully responsible for any customs duties or local taxes that may be incurred on items sent outside of the European Union.

Dimensions:
Height: 27.96 in (71 cm)Width: 14.97 in (38 cm)Depth: 8.27 in (21 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 3
Materials and Techniques:
Brass,Oak
Period:
Late 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1876
Condition:
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: 082591stDibs: LU95068087963

$1,920 Sale Price

49% Off

H 52 in W 25 in D 31 in

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