Victorian Taxidermy by Thomas Edward Gunn, Norwich.

Thomas Edward Gunn

Children of Thomas and Maria Edward W b 2nd qr 1866 Norwich . Note: Edward was a photographer Maria Ann b 2nd qr 1868 Norwich Note: Maria was a domestic housekeeper for her father in 1891 Ellen Ada b 2nd qr 1870 Norwich Edith Louisa b 4th qr 1873 Norwich Edith became an apprentice dressmaker Frederick Ernest b 4th qr 1877 Norwich Frederick was a naturalist Minnie Eveline b 1st qr 1879 Norwich Herbert Christopher J b 1st qr 1882 Norwich Note: Herbert was a stationer's assistant in 1901 Ethel May 1883 Norwich

"The Old Crocodile Angling Club dated 1888". Perhaps just another fishing cup until you see the list of winners. The first being F E Gunn 1888, E W Gunn 1889, G H Herd 1890, W E Rollings 1891, W Gunn 1892, T E Gunn 1893 and G H Herd 1894. More images to follow shortly.
"The Old Crocodile Angling Club dated 1888".
"The Old Crocodile Angling Club dated 1888".

Thomas Edward Gunn, an early image of him, we suspect he was around 40 at the time of this photo. Decorative case of a Kingfisher by TE Gunn.

Wall hanging domes by TE Gunn.
Stunning pair wall hanging domes by TE Gunn.
Keeping with the theme of TE Gunn a large mixed case of birds.


Impressive watercolour depicting TE Gunns exhibition dated 1883. If you would like a copy (free) of this image "not for commercial gain", then we will happily furnish you with the details of the institute that retains this item and then you can ask directly, again it would make an impressive print.

The Raptor room at Norwich Castle Museum. It is likely that these birds were undertaken by The Gunn firm of taxidermists. Gunn was one of the finest British Historical Taxidermists
Peregrine Falcon by TE Gunn. Classic bird and groundwork, Classic TE Gunn.

Peregrine Falcon by TE Gunn. Classic bird and groundwork, Classic TE Gunn.

Bittern with prey by TE Gunn. This is the first time we have encountered a Bittern mounted in this fashion.
Lesser Black Backed Gulls by TE Gunn with nest and eggs.

Bream by TE Gunn. Not the finest fish exponent but not bad.

Barn Owl with Greenfinch prey by TE Gunn.
Pair of Peregrines, nest and eggs by TE Gunn.

Grebes in winter plumage by lockwood. This work was historically carried out by TE Gunn.

Otter obtained in Norfolk by TE Gunn.

Closeup of the fish by TE Gunn.

Closeup of the data by TE Gunn for the above case.
Pair of Little Terns, one summer and one winter plumage by TE Gunn.

Mongoose wih snake prey by TE Gunn.
Mixed case of water birds by TE Gunn.

Fox head by TE Gunn.

Conjoined ducklings by TE Gunn.

Conjoined ducklings by TE Gunn.

Mixed case of water birds by TE Gunn.

Red Grouse by TE Gunn.
Collard Doves by TE Gunn.
Collard Doves by TE Gunn, close up of the above case.
Canary by TE Gunn.
Perhaps a unique historical taxidermy related item. A butter dish presented to TE Gunn in 1877 for "Best cased fish".

African Grey Parrot by TE Gunn.
Pied Blackbird by FE Gunn.
Close up of Stoat with Snipe prey by TE Gunn. Just to illustrate the attention to detail.
Interesting study drawing, a forerunner to photos of taxidermy subjects. This is of a Black Guillemot foot and head study. Original drawing by FE Gunn. Copywrite B Williams. Thomas Gunn died on the 13th July 1923 from pneumonia at the age of seventy eight. He was buried alongside his wife who died some 30 years earlier. The business, along with company stock, medals and guns was wiled to his son Frederick Ernest Gunn, who continued the family profession until circa 1942. Another of Thomas sons EW Gunn continued to work in both Ipswich and Bristol. These cases are more scarce as a result but they still retain the distinctive "Gunn" style of case and groundwork.

This is the 5000th image on this site. Turnstones (Arenaria interpres) by Thomas Gunn of Norwich. Lovely birds in summer plumage. The case is unusal in that it is not the normal ebonised pine. We might guess it was a special order as extra care has been taken (e.g., the case is a mixture of hardwoods, the joints are dovetailed and rather than simple paper tape holding in the glass it is retained by beading, itself held in pace by tiny brass screws). Overall a very lovely case with superb modelling and delightfully understated but species-typical groundwork. Oh and fresh to the market and not for sale.

Brambling Finches by T.E.Gunn of Norwich. Not for sale and fresh to the market. Very delicate taxidermy with a simple choice of groundwork. Sometimes less is more.


European Nuthatch and Dartford Warbler by TE Gunn.
Kingfishers.

Kingfisher. This case in itself is a rare item as Gunn generally did not create too many specimens in domes "shades" as they were previously known.

Short Eared Owl.


Montagu's Harrier by FE Gunn. A fine example of British Historical Taxidermy
European Heron, Bittern, Night Heron and Egret.


Nightjar by E.W.Gunn of Norwich. Not for sale and fresh to the market. We will buy everything of quality, no exceptions. For more information about this family search under Norfolk taxidermy and TE Gunn on this site.

Perhaps a unique pair of Hobby's perched within a Scott's Pine, by the Victorian Taxidermist TE Gunn. Not for sale now, for perhaps another 20 years. It is unlikely that a another case of Hobby's by this famous makers survives. This case is dated July 29th 1887 on the reverse and within the lable, in the handwriting of TE Gunn himself, depicting where and by whom the birds were obtained. Many Victorian taxidermist did employ "bird catchers" and the above are an example of this profession
Edwardian Bantam "Allie" by FE.Gunn, son of TE Gunn. This Bantam was once the proud pet of a family who still own the preserved bird. Additional information of from the son (62) whose father was the owner of the bird, was that Allie would attend school riding upon the hay cart to the school yard and go into the class room. She would also accompany the then boy to the fields for labouring work. The bird was 22 when it died and was sent to messr's FE Gunn, Norwich for preservation and it remained in the family's possession until we acquired the case. So perhaps more than just a stuffed bird in a case, but a treasured pet and companion. This case is approximately 77 years old and has been in the same family all that time, until now.

Edwardian Bantam "Allie" by FE.Gunn, data for the above case.


Nightjar by E.W.Gunn of Norwich. Not for sale and fresh to the market. We will buy everything of quality, no exceptions. For more information about this family search under Norfolk taxidermy and TE Gunn on this site.


Red Squirrels by TE Gunn of Norwich. Despite the obvious fading these are well executed mammals.. Jay by TE Gunn.

Pheasant by TE Gunn.


Nightjat or Fern Hawk by TE Gunn of Norwich in close up.

Victorian Pike's head by TE Gunn. This was an economical way to preserve your chosen fish. Mnay other taxidermists adopted this style of preservation also. Fish were not the best taxidermy this firm produced.

Victorian Hen Harrier with Rabbit prey by TE Gunn.

Victorian Hen Harrier with Rabbit prey by TE Gunn, in close up.

W.Lockwood of Fackenham label in close up. This is from the case above. When TE Gunn first started out he supplied specimend mounted that were then labelled as W.Lockwood cases. This was not uncommon at the time

Kestrel in close up by TE Gunn.
Larger version of the above case by TE Gunn.
W.Lockwood of Fackenham case in close up. When TE Gunn first started out he supplied specimend mounted that were then labelled as W.Lockwood cases. The case contains Squacco Herons, Dunlin and Redshank

Little Owl by TE Gunn, perhaps the only example of this introduced owl at the time of TE Gunn.
Victorian Long Tailed Duck by TE Gunn. This bird is in winter plumage.

Victorian Kingfishers by TE Gunn.

Victorian case of a Barnacle Goose by TE Gunn in summer plumage.

Victorian Bittern by TE Gunn.

Victorian Bittern's by TE Gunn.

Victorian Perch by TE Gunn.

Cheer Pheasant by TE Gunn.

Sparrow Hawk by TE Gunn.

Bittern by TE Gunn.

Marsh Harrier by FE Gunn.

Cormorant by FE Gunn.

Perch by TE Gunn .

Victorian Cuckoo's and Robin by TE Gunn.

Victorian Common & Rough Legged Buzzard by TE Gunn.

Victorian Wagtails by TE Gunn.

Victorian Mongoose by TE Gunn.

Fantastic European Coot by TE Gunn of Norwich. Not for sale, but a stunning case nevertheless.

Victorian Goosander by FE Gunn.

Victorian Cameleon by TE Gunn.

Victorian Canary by TE Gunn.

Ogilvie Collection by TE Gunn

.

Fergus Mentieth Ogilvie

1861-1918
Victorian Bewick Swans by TE Gunn.

Victorian Long tailed duck in winter plumage by TE Gunn.

Victorian Cornish Choughs by TE Gunn.

Victorian Red Breasted Merganser by TE Gunn.

Victorian Black Redstart by TE Gunn.

Victorian Little Tern with chicks by TE Gunn.

Victorian Common Tern with eggs by TE Gunn.

Victorian Shags by TE Gunn.

Victorian Greylag Goose by TE Gunn.

Victorian Great Crested Grebes by TE Gunn.

Victorian Lesser Black Backed Gull with chick by TE Gunn.

Victorian Black Guillemots by TE Gunn.

Victorian Arctic Tern by TE Gunn.

Victorian Little Auks by TE Gunn.

Victorian Balck Guillemots by TE Gunn.

Victorian Balck Tailed Godwits by TE Gunn.

Victorian female Capercaille by TE Gunn.

Victorian Eider drake by TE Gunn.

Victorian Gadwalls by TE Gunn.

Victorian Guillemots by TE Gunn.

Victorian Kittiwakes by TE Gunn.

Victorian label by TE Gunn.

Victorian male Sparrowhawk by TE Gunn.

Victorian Eider drake by TE Gunn.

Victorian Montague's Harriers with nest and eggs by TE Gunn.

Victorian Night Heron by TE Gunn.

Victorian Pochard by TE Gunn.

Victorian Raven by TE Gunn.

Victorian Redstart by TE Gunn.

Victorian Pallas Sandgrouse by TE Gunn.

Victorian Spotted Crake by TE Gunn.

Victorian Stone Curlews by TE Gunn.

Victorian Tawny Owl by TE Gunn.

Victorian Bitten by TE Gunn.

Victorian Puffin by TE Gunn.

Victorian Wyrneck with chicks by TE Gunn.

Victorian Woodcock by TE Gunn.

Victorian Ruffs by TE Gunn.

Victorian Greenshanks by TE Gunn.

Victorian Purple Sandpipers by TE Gunn.

Victorian Curlew chicks in close up by TE Gunn.

Other works by TE Gunn & Sons of Norwich

Victorian case of a Roach by TE Gunn .
Victorian case of a Brown Trout by TE Gunn .
Victorian case of a Weasel and Kestrel by TE Gunn.

Victorian trade label by TE Gunn..
This case is dated July 29th 1887 in the handwriting of TE Gunn, depicting where and by whom the birds were obtained.Many Victorian taxidermist did employ "bird catchers" and the above are an example of this profession.
Victorian case of a Red Throated Diver by TE Gunn in summer plumage.
Victorian case of a Water Rail by TE Gunn in summer plumage.
White Pelican by TE Gunn. Victorian case
Drake Wigeon by TE Gunn. Victorian case
Victorian European Cuckoo, by EW Gunn. For more about this family and Norfolk taxidermists in general visit the pages located on this site. Immature Cuckoo by E W Gunn of Ipswich.
Label by E W Gunn of Ipswich for the above case.
Label by E W Gunn of Ipswich for the above case.
Victorian Otter with prey by TE Gunn. Victorian case
Abberation Pheasants by TE Gunn. Victorian case
Canary by TE Gunn. Very rare Victorian case
Sparrow Hawk by TE Gunn..
European Nightjars and chicks by TE Gunn. Victorian case

European Bull Finches, nest and chicks by TE Gunn. Victorian case
Common Terns by TE Gunn. Diorama contains nests, chicks and eggs. Victorian taxidermy case

Spoonbills by TE Gunn. Victorian case
Barn Owl by TE Gunn of Norwich. This bird is over 100 years old.
Tawny Owl by TE Gunn of Norwich.
Victorian trade label by TE Gunn..

European Otter by TE Gunn. Victorian case.

European Buzzard by TE Gunn. Victorian case.
Victorian case of a Common Guillemott by TE Gunn.
Victorian case of a European Heron by TE Gunn.
Victorian Barn Owl by TE Gunn.
Victorian trade label by TE Gunn from the above case..
Victorian Hobby by TE Gunn.
Victorian Rough Legged Buzzard by TE Gunn.
Victorian Peregrine Falcon by FE Gunn.
Victorian Cattle Egret by FE Gunn.
Victorian Kngfisher by TE Gunn.
Victorian Nightjar by TE Gunn.
Victorian Chough by TE Gunn.
Victorian Purple Gallinule by TE Gunn.
Victorian Bittern by TE Gunn.
Victorian Bittern by TE Gunn. This birds case been recased.
Victorian case of a Sparrowhawk by TE Gunn.

Weasel in ermin by TE Gunn. Victorian case.

European Badger with new born cubs by TE Gunn. Victorian case

Fine pair of Bearded Tits (Reed Pheasants) by TE Gunn. Victorian case

Female Red Crested Pochard, by TE Gunn.

Great Crested Grebe by TE Gunn. Victorian case

little Grebe of Dabchick by TE Gunn. Victorian case
Gunn also produced three sided glass cases and also wall domes and of course cased fish. Domes tend to be rarer, as you can imagine not many survive 100 plus years of general wear and tear. The mounts in domes tend to fade more readily as they exposed to sunlight from all sides. The groundwork however was universally similar. Branches were used but mainly the specimen was exhibited upon a earth mound within the case. The flat fronted cases did much to preserve the work as they tended to shield the subject from direct sunlight. Hence why sometimes TE Gunn cases give the appearence of being "fake", as they retain much of their original colour. The quality of the taxidermy and their own style makes them hard to copy truly effectively.
We have listed below a small selection of the work carried out by the Gunn family. We hope you enjoy it. We would also welcome any pictures or information relating to the taxidermy work carried out by the Gunn family.

One of the last Taxidermists to work for the Gunn family in Norwich was Fred Ashton. Any information pertaining to Mr Fred Aston would be most welcome Of course we would also welcome the opportunity to buy such cases by TE Gunn and FE Gunn.


Tawny Owl by TE Gunn. Victorian case.

European Waxwings by TE Gunn. Victorian case

Sparrowhawk by TE Gunn. Victorian case
North Atlantic Fulmers and egg by TE Gunn

North Atlantic Gannet by TE Gunn

Pair of Great Crested Gebes by TE Gunn

Red Crested Pochard by TE Gunn. Perhaps one of the finest cases outside of the Olgivie Museum.
Shellducks by George Herd of the TE Gunn company. Victorian case

Ring Ouzel by TE Gunn. Victorian case

Domestic Duck, could be an India Runner by TE Gunn of Norwich. This bird is over 100 years old.

Victorian English Perch 4lb in weight, which is not a small fish even by modern standards. This fish was preserved by TE Gunn, circa 1880.
Common Teal by TE Gunn. Victorian case


Victorian Bittern by TE Gunn in a Winter scene.The ice pictured in this scene is made from hand blown glass. This is the same for the Woodcock case also on this page.
Collard Doves and eggs by TE Gunn

Stone Curlew and Lapwing by TE Gunn and FE Gunn. One of the few cases where father and son collaborated to produce a case.

Typical trade label for cases by TE Gunn, 1851 onwards, following his medal award at the Great Exhibition of 1851.

Great Crested Grebes by TE Gunn

Kingfishers in wall Hanging dome by TE Gunn


Simply stunning Short Eared Owl by TE Gunn of Norwich, Norfolk.

Victorian case of a Stoat with Snipe prey by TE Gunn

Great Crested Grebe by FE Gunn. This is the finest Great Crested Grebe's I have ever seen. The Grebe is floating on glass that resembles water. Most Victorian grebes are incorrectly mounted as if Penguins. FE Gunn has made a true representation of the bird as if the bird was still alive. The Grebe pictured here is about 100 years old

Trade label for the Great Crested Grebe by FE Gunn, as pictured above.

Victorian Hobbies by TE Gunn
Victorian Common Snipe by TE Gunn
English Nightjar by TE Gunn.
Victorian Eagle Owl by TE Gunn
Sea Birds by TE Gunn. Victorian. Copywrite Dave Chapman

Little Owl by TE Gunn. Victorian case. A very rare and early case by a famous Norfolk taxidermist. Little Owls are an introduced species in the UK. Numerous unsuccessful re-introduction attempts were made in 1814, 1842 and the 1870s. Between 1889-90, large numbers of Dutch little owls were released in Northamptonshire with considerable success, demonstrated today as they appear to be in every County.

Woodcock in Winter scene by TE Gunn of Norwich Norfolk. Victorian case with glass that has been made to represent ice in the scene.

Early example of a Red Phalarope in Winter plumage by TE Gunn (1844-1850). Victorian case, when TE Gunn provided cases to market under the lable "Fakenham of Lockwood". This case dates around 1844-1850

Victorian Great Crested Grebe by Cole of Norwich. The styles of the Norwich taxidermists were clearly very similar

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