Hunt is on for silver fox

A spectacular life-size silver fox, modelled in the late 19th century by famed Victorian taxidermist James Rowland Ward, will be offered for sale with an estimate of £25,000-35,000 in Tennants Auctioneers’ Fine Jewellery, Watches and Silver Sale on November 16.

The model was presented to Sir Bache Cunard, legendary huntsman and scion of the Cunard shipping family, as a testimonial for his services to hunting in South Leicestershire and was paid for by subscription by members of his hunt.

The names of the subscribers were written in a leather book, which is housed in a drawer in the base of the sculpture.

The fox, which weighs in at an impressive 16kg, is beautifully rendered in a naturalistic ‘on the alert’ pose and has been passed down through the descendants of the Cunard family.