James Gardner, Taxidermy

James Gardner, 426 Oxford Street, London. This taxidermy business is thought to have been founded in the 1840's by James Gardner and continued by his son James Gardner. It is thought that a third generation of the same family was also involved as the business didn't close down until 1920. The firm was known at several numbers in Oxford Street and held Royal warrants for 'Her Majesty the Queen Victoria, The Royal Families of England and France and HH The Khedive of Egypt.
James Gardner is typified with bright and sometimes lurid groundwork and well executed birds and mammals. For some reason however Gardner cases are very prone to insect attack and moth damage. A conclusion can only be drawn that the preparation to "fix" the skin did not contain sufficient arsenic in order to prevent insect damage later on. Gardner like many other taxidermists of their time created dioramas in various styles. Typically Gardner cases tend to be large ebonised box cases with either gouache or watercolour backgrounds, that were either abstract or highly detailed landscapes. Wall hanging domes and free standing domes (shades) were also used to great effect. What is evident is always a bright coloured groundwork.





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