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Pair of Peregrine Falcons with Grouse Prey by Peter Spicer & Sons, circa 1925
We are always very interested in Purchasing Victorian Taxidermy, please respond via this on-line form of what you have for sale. HERE
Pair of Peregrine Falcons with Grouse Prey by Peter Spicer & Sons, circa 1925. One of the finest / unique cases to come onto the market in recent years. Requiring restoration, however expertly undertaken recently, it is now enhancing a private collection. It is a shame that so many cases are selfishly hidden away. One of the aims of the comprehensive website is to reverse that trend.
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925.
A pair of Peregrine falcons and Red Grouse prey by the esteemed Peter Spicer & Sons of Leamington Spa. We estimate this case to be circa 1925 as the influence on both the groundwork and the watercolour echoes an earlier period in this company's history. The founder Peter Spicer certainly undertook watercolours in a very similar fashion and we see a "step change" towards to the end of this companys tenure where they produced cases that were significantly brighter and one could argue cruder in their attention to both watercolours and perspectives when viewed in conjunction with the groundwork.
Before Restoration
![spiceprpf1 [640x480].jpg](spiceprpf1 [640x480].jpg)
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925. These birds were dusty and a little unkept. Feathers out of place and dust everywhere. They general looked both dull and lifeless. You can also see from the image that there could have been evidence of moth damage, so it was a risk buying them initially but then look at the results below and this is one of the finest Spicer cases to enter the market in recent years. We have reviewed our extensive archive of images and cannot find another pair of Peregrine Falcons, by the finest of taxidermists Peter Spicer.
After Restoration
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925. Sparkling and restored to their former glory. Let us know if you have similar cases that require attention. Even if they are not for sale currently, we have expert resotrers on hand who can provide professional advice as to the best course of action.
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925. Sparkling and restored to their former glory. Let us know if you have similar cases that require attention. We don't mind the condition that they are as you can see from the images with expert knowledge anything is possible.
When buying at auction
Images provided by auction houses, whilst perhaps not intentionally misleading, can sometimes convey the taxidermy in a better light than in real life it is. To that end, if you are a serious and genuine collector of such items then we do recomend that you simply have to go and view the item first hand to be assured that it is in the condition that the images suggests it is in. Luckily we have not encountered too many problems as we know what we are looking at, but we feel this comment needs to be made. We are not suggesting that you do not buy at auction, although it must be said, we seldom do as the enquiries come to us. If you are however wishing to do so then go along to the viewing day, otherwise "Caveat emptor" will be a phrase you will become familiar with.
Details of cleaning / restoration
The reason for the disclosure is that this case will never be for sale and as part of our open and honest approach to this subject (see taxidermy price index) it is of little relevance / consequence who knows. The case was incredibly dusty due to storage location and the left hand side panel being absent for a considerable time. All the birds were covered in dust as was the groundwork also.
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925. It is interesting to note that the pebble is signed P Spicer, Leamington and yet there is a lable Peter Spicer & Sons adhered to the rear of the case. Also when taking the glass off there was additional data written on the inside of the beading which has also been duly noted.
Working down from the top they required careful cleaning and re-setting of the feathers where they were encountered to be out of place. Clearly this required all the glass to be removed. The left hand panel was replaced with 2mm float glass of the same period. The case was then checked for splits, woodworm, glued where appropriate. The case was given given several coats of clear beeswax to refresh the wood and also ensure that the patina was preserved. We have seen so many cases where the patina was removed, which tends to make them look rather bland. In our view this is a mistake. The cracked groundwork was left as is, again to interfere with would be then to assume some of the role for the artistry which we did not wish to do. To be fair and honest the integrity of the birds was not compromised by insects so the process was one of cleaning rather than repair. We did originally suspect a larger scale of insect damaged as like many cases we buy they are either from images (always a mistake) and or when the case cannot be opened for a more detailed examination. Given the anticipated cost to acquire the case was viewed, detailed images taken and consultation with many parties was duly undertaken before it was decided it was worth the risk. Spending this kind of money only to find that it is infested is the arena for fools frankly. Some of the areas on the birds we felt could have been insect infestation turned out to be just feathers that need realignment.
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925.
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925.
![closeIIspice17 [640x480].jpg](closeIIspice17 [640x480].jpg)
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925.
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925.
Anyway back to the case. The eyes on the birds were also cleaned, the ceres, beak and legs were also given a coat of beeswax, carefully applied to ensure that the original work is preserved. We adopted a "less is more approach" to the undertaking. As a result we now have a case that yes has been restored, but ensuring that the work of Peter Spicer & Sons can be admired and remains largely intact. The results speak from the themselves and it is a pity that the images cannot convey the true beauty and "pressence" of this case when viewed from a 3-dimentional perspective. Once again very happy to share this information as this case will not enter the market again so it is of little consequence who knows. Oh the process took 18 hours to complete. It was timed to see how long it would take to bring a dirty dusty case back to life and perhaps conveys to those who were wondering just how long such a process would take. In the hands of the less skilled it may take considerably longer. People have little knowledge of this process and are therefore shocked when they receive a bill comensurate with the effort. I have neglected to post the images of the original case before it was restored. Simple reason, you would have all seen it before and if you haven't then tough.
![closeIIspice14 [640x480].jpg](closeIIspice14 [640x480].jpg)
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925.
![closeIIspice112 [640x480].jpg](closeIIspice112 [640x480].jpg)
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925.
![closeIIspice11 [640x480].jpg](closeIIspice11 [640x480].jpg)
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925.
More detailed images for your enjoyment.
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925.
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925. This case has now been cleaned and the left panel which allowed the ingress of dust has been replaced.
![closeIIspice13 [640x480].jpg](closeIIspice13 [640x480].jpg)
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925.
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925.
The reason for purchase, well we tend to buy anything of quality no exceptions a trend that we shall continue and whilst this case does require attention, we have not seen another case like this in that there are two Peregrine falcons contained within. Hence the motivation to own and admire. We would be delighted to own similar cases by Peter Spicer and also more laterly Peter Spicer & Sons.
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925.
![closeIIspice3 [640x480].jpg](closeIIspice3 [640x480].jpg)
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925.
Very brief history of this case in recent years. As far as we understand the case was a consequence of a probate sale and had remained in the same ownership for the past 20 plus years. The later of which it appears that the case had resided, like so many others, in either a garage or a loft. This case in particular had been exposed to dust rather than sunlight and whilst the colours of all the birds are remarkable for such a long time in isolation the birds do have a large amount of dust on them. This when placed in the skillful hands of a restorer this will not present a problem.
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925.
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925.
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925.
So in summary, a wonderful pair of Peregrine falcons in a superb mountain setting by perhaps the finest exponent of this craft. This case is, perhaps like the Wildcat, Coniston Fox and "that" owl, unique as a review of our extensive pictoral archive of the work of Peter Spicer we have been unable to find a similar composition. Single birds, yes but a pair, no. It is not however not for sale. As for the cost of acquisition, this is a minor detail and shall in the future be of no consequence and as stated before if it is of quality then we would like to own it. We did envisage more stronger competition to own?, but perhaps this is a reflection of the "uncertain times" in which we live. We are of course very interested in owning such cases by Peter Spicer and please contact us for both an appraisal of the cases you own and also to receive our market offer.
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, circa 1925.
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, detail of one of the birds.
Peregrine Flacons with Red Grouse prey by Peter Spicer & sons, detail of one of the birds.
Another case acquired, that requires some sympathetic restoration. More images to follow of this rare case.
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