Taxidermy Impala Head by Rowland Ward c.1900

Superb Edwardian era mounted Impala head by the celebrated big game taxidermist Rowland Ward of London c.1900. Beautiful naturalistic taxidermy, the head turned slightly, with a fine set of antlers and large glass eyes. Paper label on the rear for ‘The Jungle’ Ward’s famous shop at 167 Piccadilly, London (established in 1857 by his father where Victorian era British and European royality, celebrities, explorers and naturalists brought their specimens to be prepared for display. Such was Rowland Ward’s reputation that he was commissioned to provide specimens for serval natural history museums around the world and three animals had the Ward name incorporated in their scientific nomenclatur. As well as his taxidermy Ward pioneered the craze of furniture and small objects encorporating animal parts (known as Wardian furniture) and published numerous books on hunting and natural history most famous of which, and enduring to this day, was Records of Big Game.
Presented as found with minor wear to the nose and loose stitching on the back of the head. Generally in very good original condition.