Accession Number

983.001a-b

Description

A diorama of three yellow canaries amidst foliage mounted on an ebonized wooden base and covered with a clear glass dome, the base with four bun-shaped feet.

Narrative

Taxidermy specimens were popular household items during the 19th century. Sometimes they were mounted for hanging on walls, such as the heads of deer, mountain goats, etc., and sometimes they were placed into small dioramas and covered by a glass dome. These latter items, such as this example, were known as "parlour domes".

History of Use

The vendor purchased this parlour dome from the thrift shop operated by the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Victoria. The inscription, "Journey's End" on the base made him curious, and so he contacted The Castle Society. Journey's End was the name of house built by Jessie Muriel Dunsmuir near Fort Rodd, Colwood, B.C. in 1932. There is no proof that this parlour dome was used there, and so its history of use is officially unknown.

Date

circa 1880

Dimensions

30 x 18 x 36 cm

Material

Glass; Wood; Feather

Technique

Taxidermied