Oscar Crocker of Keys Fine Art Auctioneers says that Norfolk’s reputation as a haven for both wildlife and artists make Keys’ regular Wildlife and Ornithological Sales wildly popular.

Given its extensive rural habitats, wetlands, coasts and marshes, it shouldn’t surprise us that interest in the natural world is strong in Norfolk, and that ornithology is one of the most popular pastimes in the county. After all, you can spot 436 different bird species in Norfolk, according to the world bird database Avibase. 

Oscar Crocker of Keys Fine Art AuctioneersOscar Crocker of Keys Fine Art Auctioneers (Image: Newman Associates PR)

Included in this list are special birds such as the marsh harrier, bittern and stone curlew, alongside pearlescent kingfishers and ghostly barn owls, not to mention thousands of birds which stop off in the county on their long migratory journeys.

Norfolk has also always been something of a magnet for artists, drawn by the clean light, peaceful countryside and creativity-friendly ambience of the county. 

So perhaps it was inevitable that wildlife art, and in particular ornithological art, should feature strongly in many local collections.

This kind of art is much in demand, not just because it combines two popular passions, but also because it tends to be decorative and accessible.  

Wildlife art is very much in demand, according to Keys. Pictured, Keith Shackleton’s ‘Night Herons In The Tide Pools, Carcass Islands, Falklands’ sold for £2,000Wildlife art is very much in demand, according to Keys. Pictured, Keith Shackleton’s ‘Night Herons In The Tide Pools, Carcass Islands, Falklands’ sold for £2,000 (Image: Keys Auctioneers)

A good selection of the world’s leading wildlife artists have Norfolk connections. People like Colin Burns, the Ludham-based artist who specialises in East Anglian landscapes often featuring the local bird life; or Jack Cox, born in Wells in 1914 and entirely self-taught, who was still painting up until his death in 2007, aged 93.

Another leading Norfolk wildlife artist was John Cyril Harrison, who was born in 1898 and spent much of his life in Norfolk, not just painting the county’s rural landscape, but supporting the Norfolk Wildlife Trust and even learning taxidermy in order to improve his knowledge of bird anatomy.

Taxidermy itself is a profession which requires true artistry, and stuffed birds remain very collectable.

One of the finest taxidermists who ever lived was T.E. Gunn, a Norwich-based Victorian master.

A Victorian taxidermy brace of red grouse, which sold for £680A Victorian taxidermy brace of red grouse, which sold for £680 (Image: Keys Auctioneers)

Gunn was born in the city, and served as apprentice to taxidermist John Sayer, taking over the business when Sayer died. His business was in St Giles Street, and carried on after his death in 1941 under the care of his son, Frederick.

Gunn’s stuffed animals, and his birds in particular, are always in demand. He was at the vanguard of a group of local taxidermists with national reputations, including Lowne of Great Yarmouth and Lockwood of Fakenham.

It was 11 years ago that Keys decided to mount its first specialist Wildlife and Ornithological Sale, bringing together natural history-related pictures and sculpture, books and ephemera, and antique and modern taxidermy.

19th century taxidermy adult and juvenile purple herons sold for £46019th century taxidermy adult and juvenile purple herons sold for £460 (Image: Keys Auctioneers)

The sale was so successful, attracting national and international buyers, that it soon became an integral part of the auction calendar; today there are two such auctions every year, the second of which takes place next month.

Nowadays the sale also focuses on the equipment used for ornithology itself, with high-quality binoculars, monoscopes and telescope also featuring.

Keys’ next Wildlife & Ornithology Sale takes place on Friday, September 20; entries are still being accepted into the sale.

For full auction details, please visit the website at keysauctions.co.uk