Rhinoceros Tantalus

The preserved hide and foot of a Black Rhinoceros houses a silver insert that contains a cut glass decanter. The hinged ornamental hardware that reaches across the glass stopper is lockable, giving rise to the term “Tantalus” in the pieces identification. An inscription in the silver cuff reads: “Rhinoceros, Angola 1901, shot by Ronald Harris.”

Ronald Harris (1873-1942) had a keen interest in articles of natural history; it was he who is responsible for the wide array of weaponry and game trophies in the back hall at Eldon House. As a mining engineer, Ronald travelled widely and collected many exotic and unique natural objects.
On the reverse of the silver casing, is an indication of the manufacturer of the finished piece: Rowland Ward Ltd. 165 Piccadilly W. The company specialised in, and was renowned for its taxidermy work on birds and big-game trophies, and created many practical items from antlers, feathers, feet, skins, and tusks. The Rowland Ward Company made fashionable items (sometimes known as Wardian furniture) from animal parts, such as zebra-hoof inkwells, antler furniture, and elephant-feet umbrella stands. The Eldon House collection hold two additional pieces that the Rowland Ward Company created originating from Ronald Harris’ game hunting: two elephants foot umbrella stands.
A “Tantalus” has typically referred to a small wooden cabinet containing two or three decanters. Its defining feature is that it has a lock and key. The aim of that was to stop unauthorised people from drinking the contents (in particular, "servants and younger sons getting at the whisky"), while still allowing them to be on display. The name is a reference to the unsatisfied temptations of the Greek mythological character Tantalus.
Natural history is the research and study of organisms including plants or animals in their environment. Until well into the nineteenth century, knowledge was considered by Europeans to have two main divisions: the humanities (including theology), and studies of nature. In modern terms natural history included the biological and geological sciences. Individual “Natural History” collections, also known at times as “Cabinets of Curiosities” encouraged systematic study of nature, eventually leading to the subdivision of the sciences. Late in the Victorian period, the fascination with natural history and of exotic species of wildlife in particular, found an outlet in the type of “animal art” or animal furniture” such as is exhibited here.