Peter Spicer taxidermy diorama – £8000 at Tennants.
The group of fox terrier and fox was signed Peter Spicer, Leamington on a pebble (as was the great man’s wont) in the 3ft 7in (1.09m) wide case.
The provenance was undoubtedly a bonus. The vendor explained that in around 1900 the terrier had belonged to his forebear, a tenant farmer.
When the local squire’s horse accidently killed the dog while out hunting, the remorseful landowner commissioned Spicer to immortalise the terrier in the diorama which has passed down through the family.
International interest, which has been growing since the quarterly sales began in 2014 (taxidermy was previously among sporting and fine art sales), pushed bidding along and the diorama sold at £8000 (estimate £2000-3000) to a US collector.
