An Early 20thC Taxidermy East Bornean Grey Gibbon

Object Description

The preserved East Bornean Grey Gibbon (Hylobates funereus) taxidermy mount, wonderfully poised in a freestanding and uber relaxed seated position, the whole surviving from the first quarter of the twentieth century.

Object History

Unknown.

Object Literature

The East Bornean Grey Gibbon Hylobates funereus is one of four species of gibbon inhabiting the island of Borneo. The species is confined to tall primary rainforest in lowland and lower montane areas of north and northeast Borneo and East Kalimantan.

Gibbons are the animals we think of when we picture primates swinging gracefully through the rain forest. These acrobatic mammals, endemic to the dense forests of southern Asia, are perfectly adapted to life in the trees and rarely descend to the ground. They have strong, hook-shaped hands for grasping branches, comically outsize arms for reaching faraway limbs, and long, powerful legs for propelling and gasping. Their shoulder joints are even specially adapted to allow greater range of motion when swinging. Gibbons are monogamous (a rare trait among primates) and live in family groups consisting of an adult pair and their young offspring. Gibbons thrive on the abundant fruit trees in their tropical range, and are especially fond of figs.

Largely due to the brilliantly blasé pose this is wonderfully entertaining and scarce mount that will make any visitor smile.

Object Condition

The specimen is presented in good condition with the hair having the usual slight fade for mounts of this age and it shows no real losses. The entire composition only shows wear commensurate with age. We can mount the piece within a glass dome at cost (£200) if so desired (as per one photograph).

Object Details