Object Identification
- Object name: Taxidermy Kestrel
- Date: Before 1960
- Origin: Great Britain
- Measurements: H 31 cm x W 10 cm
- Materials: Taxidermy bird, glass eyes, wire, cotton wadding, wood, moss
Object Summary
This taxidermy specimen is of a male kestrel, affectionally known as Keith. Although the exact date of manufacture is unknown, the presence of arsenic found during initial testing indicates that it was produced prior to 1960, after which arsenic ceased to be used in the taxidermy process. He was originally part of a larger display, evident from the end of the twig he is mounted on, which showed evidence of being made to slot into a mount. The twig had lost its bark which had dried out and fallen off, and the kestrel has paint, adhesive, dust and dirt on his feathers which required removal. Areas of colour such as the eyelids, top of the beak and feet, which had originally been lost during the taxidermy process, had been painted back on but had worn off so required colour-matching and repainting. The bark on the twig was recreated using sand mixed with paint and a new mount made so he was able to be displayed.
This object was conserved by Jo Bowen. Find out more about her by clicking on the profile below!
Jo Bowen
