Although novelty animal figurines can be desirable and even valuable, the vast majority are of relatively low value, commonly found, and can be hard to sell even though favourites such as dogs have a legion of fans. But never dismiss them out of hand – always look closer. This strange old bird holds a great story…
On the Antiques Roadshow, I’ve filmed three old birds from the range this cute and curious example comes from, and seen a couple more over the 18 years I’ve been lucky enough to be on it. They are from the YZ range, sometimes known as ‘nutbirds’, made by the esteemed company Henry Howell & Co during the 1920s and ‘30s.
Founded in 1832, Henry Howell were renowned makers of walking sticks, growing by 1895 to be the largest single maker of walking sticks in the world. Based on Old Street in London, they employed over 460 people at the height of their business, and were awarded a Grand Prix for them at the Paris Exposition in 1900.
Shortly after 1903, family member Bernard Charles Howell joined the company. A prolific and published Edwardian cartoonist and illustrator, many of his cartoons featured birds. He was responsible for producing the designs for the YZ range of novelty birds that were quite a departure for the company, but utilised materials and techniques familiar to them from manufacturing walking sticks…
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