Rowland Ward 1847 - 1912

Taxidermist to the World

Founded in 1870, the company of Rowland Ward Limited became one of the most prestigious taxidermy businesses in the world and was best known for Trophy Taxidermy, Big Game, and Wardian Furniture.

Rowland Ward and his business stood as giants of the period and was, and is still now considered as the foremost taxidermist of the 19^th century.

Rowland Ward

The world’s most prestigious taxidermist

Signature and photo of Rowland Ward inside the 1913 edition of his book “A Naturalists Life Study”

Founded in 1870, the company of Rowland Ward Limited became one of the most prestigious taxidermy businesses in the world and was best known for Trophy Taxidermy, Big Game, and Wardian Furniture. Rowland Ward and his business stood as giants of the period and was, and is still now considered as the foremost taxidermist of the 19^th century.

The British Empire with its expansive colonies, and the Industrial Revolution with its innovations and manufacturing prowess came together as the two powerful forces that paved the way for Ward to become as successful as he did.

Mounted animals exotic and domestic by Rowland Ward formed the focal point of the interior décor of the British upper classes in their country houses during the later Victorian period, and his work has had a lasting influence on how wildlife is studied, displayed, and appreciated. From the mid-1800s through to the advent of the first World War hunters, explorers and scientists from all over the world sent their trophy animals back to Wards, for Ward, his high-profile contemporaries and London were at the epicentre of the global taxidermy business.

The Jungle 166-167 Piccadilly, London

Rowland Ward (F.Z.S. from 1879) founded his famous shop “The Jungle” at 166 Piccadilly, London in the latter part of the 19^th century. The Jungle became a famous showroom for mounted animals, but it wasn’t just that; it was an important meeting place for naturalists and explorers, just like Edward Gerrard’s premises at Queen Street in Camden Town had become earlier in the century.

Rowland Ward’s influence extended beyond taxidermy into the broader field of natural history display. Ward displayed the animals in glass cases. This was the first time these types of displays had been created, and the scenes were spectacular. Ward’s skill extended significantly beyond the simple stuffing of animal skins; his creativity and scenery designs made the animals look like they were still alive.

Ward later became known for his bamboo framed cases which had taken their influence from forays into Asia.

Rowland Ward Ltd was granted a Royal Warrant in 1904 when the company was at its height.

His customers were high profile – the young Winston Churchill was a customer of Rowland Ward Ltd as was Walter Rothschild, and two kings Edward VII and George V. Numerous American and European celebrities and film stars brought their hunting trophies to “The Jungle” to be mounted. These elite customers bought various curios and animal furniture, and these fetch high prices at auction houses today.

Rowland Ward shop front The Jungle 166 Piccadilly

Wardian Furniture

Rowland Ward also became known for “animal furniture” like bear dumb waiters, and elephant‑feet umbrella stands which they manufactured en masse with the “left-over” bits of animals like tusks, skins, and feet that they couldn’t otherwise use. This became known as “Wardian Furniture” and was all the rage in Victorian England. Today, it’s not so much a rage for the fashion, as a rage against the killing for sport which, sadly, does still exist despite often being camouflaged as “conservation” in the continual drive to make money by unscrupulous individuals and companies.