7th Aug, 2024 10:00
Antiques & Fine Art
868
Fine Van Ingen tiger skin with full head mount, numbered to underside of head and tail '305', nose to tail 300cm, paw to paw 216cm
Fine Van Ingen tiger skin with full head mount, numbered to underside of head and tail '305', nose to tail 300cm, paw to paw 216cm. Included are copies of photographs from a family album depicting various hunting expeditions.
Provenance: The Collection of Sir Archie William Ibbotson (1886-1956), C.I.E., M.B.E., M.C. Ibbotson was the closest and dearest friend of Jim Corbett and the only trusted companion of his hunting expeditions for man-eating tigers and leopards.
A Fine Collection of Antique Tiger and Leopard Skins
A fine collection of antique Tiger and Leopard skins feature in our August Fine Art sale, by direct family descent from the legendary huntsman Sir Archie William (Ibby) Ibbotson.
Educated at King Edward’s School, Birmingham and Cambridge, he joined the Civil Service and was attached to the Indian Civil Service, based in Bombay. He acquitted himself well in the Great War and was awarded the MC and later an MBE.
As Deputy Commissioner of Garhwal, Ibby had to deal with the menace of the man-eating leopard of Rudraprayag, causing terror across the district, the animal was reputed to have been responsible for 125 deaths. He came under pressure to report the attacks and protect the villagers from the man-eater. Frustrated by the lack of Government response, he set out to actively pursue the trail of the leopard. Jim Corbett, already a renowned hunter of man-eaters, was sent for, and over the next few months, together they pursued the leopard until they prevailed. The story of the hunt was later detailed in Corbett’s 1948 book ‘The Man-Eating Leopard of Rudraprayag’.
In 1944, in recognition of 35 years of service to the British empire in India, Ibbotson was knighted and in 1947 left India for British East Africa. Together with his wife settling in Karen, near Nairobi, they were later joined there by Jim Corbett. In further books by Corbett there are details of their friendship, adventures, and their joint investment in a safari and tourism company "SafariLand". The company's profile was given a boost when they hosted the crew and assisted in the logistics for the Metro Goldwyn Mayer's production of King Solomon's Mines in 1949.
The collection of five leopard and tiger skins starring in our Fine sale on the 6th and 7th of August sale carry estimates ranging from £150-£2000. It is unknown whether any of these mighty beasts were known man-eaters, but Ibbotson was undoubtedly Jim Corbitt’s first choice as hunting colleague when he was called upon to rid an area of a rogue big cat. Corbitt wrote of him:
"Of all the men I have been on shikar with, Ibbotson is by far and away the best, for not only has he the heart of a lion, but he thinks of everything, and with it all, is the most unselfish man that carries a gun” - Jim Corbett - Man-Eaters of Kumaon (OUP Bombay, 1944).
Sold for £2,500
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Auction: Antiques & Fine Art, 7th Aug, 2024
Reeman Dansie is pleased to present the catalogue for the August Fine Art & Antiques sale, with almost 1200 lots to be sold over the course of two days, to include a Sporting section.
The sale begins with ceramics and glassware, with the usual range of English, continental and Asian pieces on offer; highlights include a wonderful 18th century Tournai dinner service, comprising 160 pieces (lot 150, £2500-4000).
Silver will follow, to include various lots of flatware and tea wares; other notable lots include a rare mid eighteenth century Irish provincial silver soup ladle (lot 200, £2500-3000).
A choice selection of jewellery, watches, and clocks will be sold next; two pieces that have caught our eye include a fine Art Deco diamond cocktail ring (lot 424, £2500-3000), and a Second World War Omega ‘dirty dozen’ wristwatch (lot 523, £1000-1500).
The day will conclude with works of art, with a number of eye-catching lots to be found, not least a bronze bust of a Roman emperor, purportedly dug up in a Colchester field (lot 711, £400-600).
Day two of the sale will start with the Sporting section, including a good selection of taxidermy, pictures, sculptures, books, and hunting-related items. A fine collection of antique tiger and leopard skins will be on offer, related by direct family descent from the legendary huntsman - and friend of Jim Corbett - Sir Archie William (Ibby) Ibbotson. Find out more using the button below.
A good selection of 200 pictures will follow, with everything from Old Masters to contemporary works on offer; one particular lot we anticipate a wave of interest for is a woodblock print of Hawaiian surfers by Charles William Bartlett (1860-1940) (lot 1100, £5000-7000).
The sale will conclude with furniture and rugs; once again a wide selection of pieces can be found to suit all tastes, from 17th century oak to Eames-style chairs.
We look forward to welcoming you to the sale, whether you’ll be bidding online or in the room.
Viewing
Friday 2nd August 12pm - 5pm
Saturday 3rd August 9am - 1pm
Monday 5th August 9am - 6pm
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