Victorian Very Large Taxidermy English Lop Rabbit by Joseph Mountney of Royal Arcade, Cardiff

A well-presented beloved English Lop pet rabbit of very large proportions sat amongst a naturalistic setting of ferns and heather with a painted backboard, enclosed in a polished oak case glazed and beaded to three sides. By the very skilled taxidermist Joseph Mountney of Royal Arcade, Cardiff.

Circa late 1800s - early 1900s

The English Lop is a fancy breed of domestic rabbit that was developed in England in the 1800s through selective breeding. It is believed to be the first breed of lop rabbit developed by humans, and it may be one of the oldest breeds of domestic rabbit.

Read more about the history of Joseph Mountney below.

Dimensions 

Height: 20.5'' Width: 28.5'' Depth: 11''

Condition report:

In overall very good condition for its age. A crack to the top corner of the case and a small area of age related damp which I have photographed. It hasn't affected the mount in anyway. 

It is a very sturdy high quality Victorian mount.

Please note, colours may vary depending on your screen.

We are always very honest with our listings and will always list any age related issues we notice but please be aware that this is an old piece and imperfections may occur.

History

The Mountney family's taxidermy business was established in the 1800s, following a traditional father and son arrangement that was common during the period when taxidermy gained popularity. Initially, the company was based in Bristol, England, but it later relocated to Wales, setting up its premises in Cardiff. Their expertise was sought after for preparing specimens for institutions such as the Merthyr Museum and the National Museum of Wales. However, during the First World War, the business temporarily ceased operations due to the passing of Joseph Mountney and the active military service of his sons. It was Percival Mountney who, upon returning from Europe, took the reins and resurrected the family's taxidermy enterprise.

Percival Mountney's skills were not limited to Wales; he also worked at the Booth Museum in Brighton, where he prepared specimens for AF Griffith and others. He concluded his distinguished career at the Charterhouse Museum. Notably, Mountney's taxidermy work on British birds was exceptional, characterized by expertly crafted mounts and realistic, compact, and naturalistic groundwork—deviating from the typical styles of cases in the Welsh and English regions. His work encompassed both cased and loose mounts. Examples of his taxidermy art were often presented in ornate, three-sided glass cases with elaborate casework and bases. Percival J. Mountney continued to operate the family business until his retirement in 1953, and he passed away in 1967.