Sunday 5 August 2007

Wunderkammer...















A cabinet of wonder.

Wonder - an interesting and sadly almost antiquated trait. It is a combination of surprise and appreciation, and of innocence and awe. It is something most of us leave behind in childhood. It is the quality that I am almost envious of in others. It is something, I think, I subconsciously strive for in my work. It is undoubtedly the reason why I collect antique taxidermy and natural history. It is the reason I loathe mass production. It is the soul of a room, only when it is a true reflection of one's own life.

image: Biblioteque Centrale du Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris

14 comments:

Pigtown-Design said...

You HAVE to meet my brother in law. He irritated my sister to no end by getting some stuff from the "premiere taxidermist in London".

HOBAC said...

If that's so - I probably have. If you can tell me what he got - I bet you I can tell you what he looks like.

Patricia Gray said...

Well said...."Always keep your childish innocence." I think that was a line from the movie Under the Tuscan Sun by KATHERINE - Lindsay Duncan. I try to strive for that also. Good on the taxidermy collecting.

girl meets glamour said...

Great writing and what a fantastic image to go along with it. The detail on the casework piece is amazing, and your hobby sounds just fascinating :)

~Kate

Pigtown-Design said...

Somehow I think it's a squirrel.

HOBAC said...

Thank you gmg - how very kind of you!

fairfax - a squirrel, no.
A black squirrel under a glass dome, yes.
A red squirrel in a case/box, yes - years and years ago - six at the very least.

The Peak of Chic said...

How very well said, and so true. Collections should be unique to the owner and a reflection of his/her personality. And no instant collections either!

HOBAC said...

Thank you PoC - and could not agree more. Leave the instant collections to the sheep.

katiedid said...

I am in agreement also! I have collections that I treasure because each piece has a story. I think everyone's home should have that quality, that personality, that story.

And regarding the taxidermy, I have been seeing more of it in the editorials dispite PETA. I think it is sort of fascinating!

HOBAC said...

Hello katiedid - would love to see a post about your collection(s).
Oddly, if it weren't for PETA and the anti- climate they helped create here in the late 80s - I may never have started collecting taxidermy.

Pigtown-Design said...

Got a nice package from the bro-in-law with some back copies of Country Life and auction catalogues. YAY. Can't remember what colour the squirrel is... grey?

HOBAC said...

Doesn't sound like one of our pieces - so he has yet to visit "London's premier antique taxidermy dealer".

Mélanie said...

I love this concept of cabinet of wonders . Taxidermy is so great , it gives to home such an ambiance .
By the way I've called my blog " cabinet de curiosités "
Your blog is wonderful
Mélanie xxx

Pigtown-Design said...

HOB&C we're going to have to start naming names!