I was surprised to find a beaver in a pattern titled "Indian Scenery." It is not an animal I associate with India. However, I did learn that the
Eurasian beaver was once widespread in Eurasia, but was hunted nearly to extinction. By the turn of the 20th century, only about 1, 200 survived. I'll add that they have made a comeback in this century. The beaver on this undertray was surrounded by a fanciful background, so it took me awhile to realize that the animal was actually a rather realistic rendering. The source print for the beaver is found in a book on
natural history;
"The Cabinet of Quadrupeds" by John Church.
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| "Indian Scenery" pierced undertray featuring a beaver, ca. 1840 |
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| Close-up of the center of the "Indian Scenery" pierced undertray |
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| "Beaver" from "The Cabinet Of Quadrupeds" by John Church (1805). It was engraved by James Tookey and drawn by the artist Julius Ibbetson. |
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| "Indian Scenery" mark/William Hackwood (1827-1843) |
| Take a look at how the same source print was used by Enoch Wood & Sons. The beaver looks more at home. Even if he is in a washbowl! |
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