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These gosh darn Victorians and their obsession with death... I suppose it did end up aiding to produce some interesting and unique pieces of material culture. These beautiful pieces at the top feature two hummingbird heads mounted as earrings in 18k yellow gold. They are estimated by the jeweler selling them to be from the 1870's with similar earrings being on display at The Victoria and Albert Museum(second image). According to good old Wikipedia, the Victorian years are considered to be the golden era of taxidermy. This is not the first time I have heard mention of that title. Many different taxidermic or preserved specimens could be found in the "cabinets of curiosities" belonging to the wealthy and the intrigued. New technologies plus old traditional knowledge combined and melded together in perfecting this art form that is still frequently used today.
-Maia B
Hi! I made a response to your post and focused on how we are guilty of the same practice even now (although in a modified way).
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you think :)
http://anth397rose.blogspot.ca/2013/02/an-accessory-of-death.html
This is ridiculously cool. I don't support animal cruelty or wearing furs for fashion but if the animal is already dead... Perhaps I could consider it. This post really got me thinking about pushing the boundaries (something people LOVE to do in this day and age) and how it relates to our feelings of death. These feelings are, after all, evolving all the time. Great post! If you want to look at mine, here's the link...
ReplyDeletehttp://darklydreamingdawn.blogspot.ca/2013/03/roadkill-on-rodeo-drive.html