Exhibition 2nd June 2010 − 26th June 2010

The Hawkins Zoomorphic Collection at Harris Lindsay

Rare pair of hippopotamus teeth. Silver mounted in the form of candelsticks, Sheffield, 1911.

Rare pair of hippopotamus teeth. Silver mounted in the form of candelsticks, Sheffield, 1911.

The Hawkins Zoomorphic Collection, an 'Exhibition of the Rare and Exotic'. This collection was formed over a period of more than forty years by two generations of one family. John Hawkins (http://www.jbhawkinsantiques.com/aboutus.html) began to collect zoomorphic objects on his arrival in Australia in 1968 and his daughter, Emma continued with the opening of her iconic shop in Westbourne Grove in 1990. Nearly every zoomorphic object of importance that has appeared on the market over this period has been purchased by the family and is now to be displayed for sale, courtesy of Harris Lindsay, at 67 Jermyn Street, in their London Summer Exhibition.

"It is suggested that this collection and the catalogue which accompanies the exhibition will provide a basis for the understanding of a 21st Century Wunderkammer of Zoomorphic objects created by the greatest of all predators, whose hand, during the course of the last 200 years, has been laid over our planet and its landscape, to the disadvantage of those who speak no known language." (John Hawkins, The Hawkins Zoomorphic Collection, 2010, p. 1, the catalogue accompanying the exhibition at Harris Lindsay).

A single ram's horn, mounted as an inkwell in silver. Made by Walker & Hall, Sheffield, 1911.

A single ram's horn, mounted as an inkwell in silver. Made by Walker & Hall, Sheffield, 1911.

A parcel gilt silver mounted emu egg claret jug, hallmarked London, 1865

A parcel gilt silver mounted emu egg claret jug, hallmarked London, 1865

A parcel gilt silver mounted but unmarked human cranium libation cup by London silversmiths Hunt & Roskell, numbered 563. English circa 1860

A parcel gilt silver mounted but unmarked human cranium libation cup by London silversmiths Hunt & Roskell, numbered 563.

Ocelet sleeve bag by the House of Dior, circa 1952.

Ocelet sleeve bag by the House of Dior, circa 1952.

19th century anatomical teaching human skeleton. Probably French, circa 1840.

19th century anatomical teaching human skeleton. Probably French, circa 1840.

Walking Stick with Monkey Skull and vertebrae of a snake, the silver band inscribed 'W.Howlett Naturalist'. Hallmarked by G.W. Of Sheffield, 1892

Walking Stick with Monkey Skull and vertebrae of a snake, the silver band inscribed 'W.Howlett Naturalist'. Hallmarked by G.W. Of Sheffield, 1892

Fallow deer antler stick stand, circa 1855

Fallow deer antler stick stand, circa 1855

Rare diorama of a squirrel boxing match. English circa 1870

Rare diorama of a squirrel boxing match. English circa 1870

See also