An Unusual Early 20thC Taxidermy Albino Rabbit in a Fantastical Glazed Display Case

Origin: British
Period: Early Twentieth Century
Provenance: John Rees, Naturalist, Brynamman, Brecon Beacons, Wales
Date: c.1900-25
The Case:
Height: 21.75 inches
Width: 27.75 inches
Depth: 9.75 inches

Suddenly a White Rabbit with pink eyes ran close by Alice. She did not think it so very much out of the way to hear the Rabbit say to itself, `Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!' (when she thought it over afterwards, it occurred to her that she ought to have wondered at this, but at the time it all seemed quite natural); but when the Rabbit actually took a watch out of its waistcoat pocket and looked at it, and then hurried on, Alice started to her feet, for it flashed across her mind that she had never before seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to take out of it, and burning with curiosity, she ran across the field after it, and fortunately was just in time to see it pop down a large rabbit-hole under the hedge.

In another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how in the world she was to get out again. The rabbit-hole went straight on like a tunnel for some way, and then dipped suddenly down, so suddenly that Alice had not a moment to think about stopping herself before she found herself falling down a very deep well...

This is the very same large White Rabbit preserved amongst a host of butterflies he befriended in later years, set against a resplendent and fantastical backdrop watercolour scene of his favourite trees, the glazed case with velvet carrying handles and gilded mouldings. Though now less often splendidly dressed, he is still a nervous chap and always in a hurry, trotting along muttering to himself from time to time.

Buyer beware; though of a nervous disposition for much of the time, the White Rabbit was once self-confident enough to contradict the King of Hearts, so don’t say you’ve not been warned…