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| Probably recreated from skins of guillemots and/or great northern divers, the replica great auk |
ONE of the talking points at a specialist taxidermy auction in Yorkshire today was a replica of a bird now long extinct.
At the Tennants saleroom in Leyburn, the re-creation of a great auk sold for £6,500 - way higher than the pre-sale estimate of £1800-£2500.
Enclosed within an ebonised three-glass display case, measuring 58.5cm by 31.5cm by 71.5cm, the 'bird' is perched on a seashore rock, adorned with grit and sea shells, mounted above simulated sea water lapping against the rock.
There is an oil painted shoreline backdrop, featuring an anchored sailing ship and a six-oared rowing boat in motion amongst the waves.
A note in the catalogue states: "This cased example of a great auk was originally inspired by the most celebrated of specimens - Bullock's, Papa Westray auk.
"In 1812, William Bullock travelled to the Orkney Islands, specifically the island of Papa Westray to secure a great auk for his London museum.
"Bullock pursued the bird in a six-oared rowing boat, but the bird's speed was so great that the chase was ultimately abandoned.
"The following year, the auk was shot on rocks near Fowls' Crag, and was sent without haste to Bullock in London.
"This legend has been recreated within an oil painting upon the back board to this case, depicting the row boat leaving the mother ship to pursue the prized quarry.
"In 1885 Symington Grieve wrote in his book The Great Auk or Garefowl: "Because great auk specimens were so hard to obtain (they were extinct by 1844) imitations were being produced using the skins of guillemots and great northern divers".
"This specimen seems to have been reproduced in such a way, circa 1870."
The identity of the successful bidder has not been revealed.
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