Doe and Hope

Description

The rare large mature English Mute Swan (Cygnus olor), posed waterborne, unmounted and surviving from the fourth quarter of twentieth century England in superb overall condition.

The specimen is presented in nigh on immaculate considering the relative fragility and age with these examples so often found with many feathers missing and a tatty appearance. This example was an educational specimen for a school or college and was kept housed in a perspex case for much of its existence which was marked for ERS – the educational resource service as such, it is in almost perfect condition.

One of our most iconic waterbirds, the mute swan is famed for its grace and beauty and is a very large white waterbird. It has a long S-shaped neck and an orange bill with a black base and a black knob. It flies with its neck extended and regular, slow wingbeats. The Royal swans are no longer marked, but an unmarked mute swan on the Thames is regarded as belonging to the Queen by default.

A wonderfully graceful and beautiful specimen that sprinkles any table-top with regal star dust.