A curious byproduct of taxidermy so-called 'Wardian Furniture' was another of Rowland Ward's innovations developing from his 'Zoological Lamps', their supports composed of variously arranged birds or quadrupeds, first marketed in the winter of 1872. Following their success with the buying public other 'household objects' what Ward called "spolia" as exemplified by the conversion of elephants' feet into liqueur stands were introduced.
As taxidermists, Ward and his brother Edwin were well ahead of their times. Among the more unusual products to emerge from 'The Jungle' were registered crocodile umbrella-stands, snake tables, a hall porter's chair made from a whole adolescent elephant, elephant rib-bone and skin chairs and a bear dumb-waiter, holding trays or menus.
The article ‘Animal Furniture’ by William G. Fitzgerald in The Strand Magazine of 1896 provides a contemporary key to Zoomorphic objects and their use in the decorative arts. Edwin Ward retired in 1879 and sold his business to his brother-in-law, George Frederick Butt, who supplied much of the information and photographs to Fitzgerald.
George Butt, formerly Edwin Ward's chief taxidermist, carried on the establishment in Wigmore Street under the same name. This incensed Rowland - by this time in business himself - who eventually bought him out in 1911.
William G. Fitzgerald, 'Animal Furniture'
Strand Magazine, vol. 12 (1896), p. 273-280.
- William G. Fitzgerald, Animal Furniture, The Strand Magazine, v.12, 1890, pages 273-280.
- E.S. Turner, Taxidermy needs your son, London Charivari, v.252.
- Pat Morris, Rowland Ward Taxidermist to the World, MPM 2003.
- Rowland Ward, A Naturalist's Life Study in the Art of Taxidermy, London: Rowland Ward, 1913.
