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Stuffed tabby cat Crimean Tom, 1855 (animal skin, stuffed)
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Stuffed tabby cat Crimean Tom, 1855 (animal skin, stuffed)
5920395 Stuffed tabby cat Crimean Tom, 1855 (animal skin, stuffed); National Army Museum, London; (add.info.: Stuffed tabby cat Crimean Tom, 1855.
On 9 September 1855 after a year's siege, British and French forces entered the ruins of the Russian port of Sebastopol in the Crimea. They found the city filled with the dead and dying. Legend has it that one fortunate survivor was the cat, Crimean Tom, who was rescued from the devastated city by Deputy Assistant Commissary William Gair of the Field Train Department. He brought Tom back to England as a pet. Tom died on 31 December 1856 and his skin was stuffed and mounted.
Having a pet stuffed and mounted after death was a common Victorian way of remembering a beloved animal. Whether this particular stuffed cat is the famous survivor from Sebastopol is debatable as it was bought at Portobello Road market by Lady Compton Mackenzie in the 1950s.); © National Army Museum
Media ID 38342502
© © National Army Museum / Bridgeman Images
Domestic Cat Kitten Kittens Relic Stuffed Animal Taxidermy
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This hauntingly beautiful print captures the essence of 'Crimean Tom', a stuffed tabby cat from 1855. The story behind this unique piece is both heartwarming and tragic, as it tells the tale of a feline survivor amidst the ruins of Sebastopol in the Crimea.
After British and French forces entered the devastated city in September 1855, they discovered 'Crimean Tom' among the dead and dying. Rescued by Deputy Assistant Commissary William Gair, this lucky cat was brought back to England as a cherished pet. Unfortunately, Tom passed away on December 31, 1856, but his memory lived on through taxidermy.
During Victorian times, it was common practice to have beloved pets stuffed and mounted after their passing as a way to remember them fondly. Whether or not this particular stuffed cat is truly 'Crimean Tom' remains uncertain, adding an air of mystery to its history.
Displayed at the National Army Museum in London, this remarkable piece serves as a reminder of our deep connection with animals and how they can leave lasting imprints on our hearts long after they are gone. The intricate details captured in this print allow us to appreciate the beauty and significance of preserving memories through art.
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